Friday, January 6, 2012

Schooner S. Warren Hall ~ 5 April 1898

At 1:33 p.m. on April 5, 1898, the day watch, Surfman Dennis Mason, reported a two-masted schooner aground in the breakers on Ocracoke Bar about three miles southeast of the station. The tide was on the ebb with a strong "northardly" wind and high seas. The station crew went to the vessel's assistance. She proved to be the S. Warren Hall (aka Samuel Warren Hall) (152-tons) owned by John W. Hall of Wilmington, Delaware. They were en route from Georgetown, South Carolina, to Baltimore, Maryland, with a load of shingles, valued at $1,625.00. The station crew attempted to get to the vessel but had to drop back inside the inlet. They returned to the station but left again at 3:25 the following morning in order to be at the site well before daylight. The ship's crew were all in the rigging but the lifesavers were still unable to reach the vessel.

Less than half the cargo was saved; the Hall was a complete loss. The rescued crew spent two nights at the station consuming 42 meals. They were: E.W. Hill, Captain, Baltimore; Mathew Nelson, Mate, Marshallberg; Alfred Collings, Baltimore; Hayward Haverton, New Bern; Charles Gardner, New Bern; and Manuel Pereila.

Annual Report of the Operations of the United States Life-Saving Service for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1898:

Missed stays and stranded in the breakers on Ocracoke Bar during a strong SW. breeze and heavy surf. Station crew pulled out but were unable to reach her on account of the surf; anchored surf boat and awaited a favorable chance, and at 9.30 next morning succeeded in getting alongside after two abortive attempts. Crew were in the rigging, but all were taken off (there were 6 all told) and conveyed to the station, where they were cared for and fitted out with clothing from the stores of the Women’s National Relief Association. (See card of thanks under caption “Letters of acknowledgment.”)

CARD OF THANKS

We desire to give our heartfelt thanks to Captain Terrell and crew, of the Portsmouth Life-Saving Station, for saving our lives when wrecked on the schooner S. Warren Hall and for their kind and brotherly attention to all our wants. Braver and more gallant men never lived, and we shall remember them to our dying hour with love and regard. E.W. HILL, Captain ; MATTHEW NELMIDLATE, Mate ; ALFRED COLLINS ; HAYWARD K. HOWERTON ; CHAS. GORDNOR ; MANUEL PEREILA, Seamen

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