Sunday, February 12, 2012

Schooner Martin C. Ebel ~ 5 November 1895

Annual Report of the Operations of te United States Life-Saving Service for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1896:

At 3 a.m. the north patrol observed a vessel drifting in toward the beach. After burning his Coston signal he hastened to inform the keeper. Upon further examination she proved to be a three-masted schooner, apparently water logged, mainmast and light spars gone and no signal displayed. Surf was very high and bar too rough to cross. After telephoning to keepers of Little Kinnakeet and Cape Hatteras Stations for assistance, set out with surfboat, beach apparatus, medicine chest, and cork jackets. The crews which had been summoned arrived promptly. As soon as vessel struck a line was fired across her, but after waiting some time, and becoming convinced that no one was on board, it was hauled ashore. The weather being too thick and stormy to do anything further at that time, the crews of the neighboring stations returned. Kept a watch on vessel all night, wreckage coming ashore. In November 6 and 7 keeper made three attempts to board wreck, but was deterred therefrom by heavy surf, floating spars, the laboring of the hull and consequent apprehension for the safety of his crew and boat. Got on board on the 8th instant, found her to be the schooner Martin C. Ebel, lumber laden, cabin and rudder gone, and vessel about to break up. Conferred with wreck commissioner and turned vessel over to him. She went to pieces at 1.30 a.m., November 13, her cargo coming ashore badly broken up and being strewn along the beach for a distance of 7 miles.

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