Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Schooner Luola Murchison ~ 3 October 1883

Annual Report of the Operations of the United States Life-Saving Service for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884:

The schooner Luola Murchison, of and from New York, bound to Savannah, GA, laden with phosphate, and having a crew of 8 men, stranded at a quarter past four in the morning nearly abreast of the Kitty Hawk Station (6th District), North Carolina and was soon afterwards discovered by the patrol. The wind was blowing a fresh gale from the northeast and the surf was rough. The boat was launched and proceeded to the vessel, the life saving crew arriving on board at half past five. They immediately assisted in running an anchor off shore to keep the vessel from working farther onto the beach. By the time this was done the crew of the Kill Devil Hills Station arrived, and at the master’s request the two crews landed all the personal effects, although the sailors remained on board. After the baggage was safe the Kill Devil Hills crew returned to their station and the Kitty Hawk crew kept watch on the vessel, ready to go off at a moment’s notice, word having been sent to Norfolk for the assistance of wreckers. On the afternoon of the 4th the schooner fell over on her starboard side and the sea made a complete breach over her, compelling the master to make signal of his wish to abandon her. The state of the sea prevented the surf boat from getting alongside; the beach apparatus was brought into use and the entire crew were safely landed and conducted to the station.

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