Barkentine Samuel Welsh ~ 26 February 1888

Annual Report of the Operations of the United States Life-Saving Service for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1888:

At 7 o’clock in the morning of the earlier of these dates, the south patrol from the Whale’s Head Station, NC (6th District), North Carolina observed a longboat filled with men, abreast of the station and about a mile beyond the breakers. The life saving crew upon learning of the affair immediately launched their surf-boat and went out to the assistance of the people in the boat. The men proved to be the crew of 9, all told, of the barkentine Samuel Welsh, of Philadelphia. As they could not land in their own boat, on account of the rough sea, they abandoned it and were taken ashore in the station boat. The surf was heavy but they landed without mishap though not without difficulty. Their vessel had sunk the preceding night some 20 miles southeast of the station, having sprung a leak during heavy weather. She had been bound to Brunswick, GA, with a freight of railroad iron from her home port. The rescued men stayed at the station until the morning of the 28th, when they proceeded to Norfolk, VA.

Richmond Dispatch / 28 February 1888 / No. 11 / Pg. 4 Col. 4

The captain and crew of the foundered barkentine Samuel Welsh arrived here today from Whale's Head on the steamer Bonito.