Schooner Robert W. Dasey ~ 17 August 1899

Annual Report of the Operations of the United States Life-Saving Service for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1900:

Driven ashore by the terrible ENE. Storm ¾ mile S. of station, at 5.30 p.m. Life saving crew started for the wreck with the beach apparatus as soon as possible after its discovery by the patrolman, but the beach cart and horses became mired in the quicksand on the way, delaying them nearly an hour. They found the wreck, bows-on to the beach, with the outer jib stay, which had parted, hanging over the bow. They went into the surf and caught hold of the stay; then, while they held it fast, the crew of the schooner came down upon it, one by one, and surfmen carried them all safely up the beach. Taking them to station, the keeper gave them stimulants and food and provided them with dry clothing from the stores of the Women’s National Relief Association. On the next day the station crew went on board the wreck with the shipwrecked crew and aided them to search for their personal effects, finding very few, however. The crew were succored at the station until the 21st, when they were given transportation to Elizabeth City. The captain remained at station until the 30th, when, having sold the wreck, he left for his home. (See letter of acknowledgement.)

Robert W. Dasey

LITTLE KINNAKEET LIFE-SAVING STATION, August 18, 1898

We the undersigned, captain and crew of the wrecked schooner Robert W. Dasey, which was driven ashore by the east-northeast hurricane with very high surf and tide on August 17, 1899, at 5.30 p.m., wish to make the following statement: At that time no person could have reached us, but as early as anything could possibly be done the life-saving crew were on hand with their beach apparatus ready to land us. Our vessel, however, had gone high up, so that the life-savers caught the outer jib stay, which was loose, and held it while we came down upon it, one at a time. Then they took us upon the beach clear of the surf. They arrived at the wreck about 6 a.m. on August 18, 1899. After landing us they took us to station three-quarters of a mile distant, and provided us with dry clothing, stimulants, and food; they gave us the very best treatment, and aided us in every possible way to save our effects so far as we could find them on board our vessel.

     We also wish to say that these noble, gallant, and heroic life-savers do most dreadfully suffer the hardships of life to save, protect, and take care of sailors who may be cast into their care. There was nothing left undone by the acting keeper and crew of the above-amed station. They performed their duties most nobly. Respectfully submitted, JULIUS OLSEN, Master ; GEORGE W. LAYFIELD, Mate ; ADOLPH SCHICK, Cook ; GEORGE WILKINS ; CONRAD PRESCOD ; H.P. RUSSELL ; GEORGE BUSBY, Seamen