The Outer Cape was a risk to any ship that had travel between Boston and New York, because of the ever-shifting shoals and common nor'easters. The Cape has been the site of more than 3,000 shipwrecks in 300 years of recorded history.
The shallow sand bars several hundred yards off the beach present the greatest danger. High winds drove ships aground where they were battered to pieces under the pressure of raging water, and spilled their cargo and crew into the bone-chilling surf.
Lifesaving stations along the Outer Cape were manned by surfmen and boathandlers who patrolled the coast at night and during thick weather ten months a year—from the first of August until the following June. The keeper remained on duty throughout the year.
The Lifesaving Stations
The stations were simple buildings designed as a home for the crew and storage for the boats and other gear. They were set back as far as possible from the high water mark and painted red so that they might be distinguished from a long distance at sea. There was a lookout or observatory from where the surfmen would keep track shipping traffic during the day and a sixty-foot flagstaff used to signal passing ships by International code.
In the 1870s, nine stations were built on Cape Cod: Race Point, Highlands, Peaked Hill Bars, Pamet, Cahoon's Hollow, Nauset, Orleans, Chatham, and Monomoy Point.
A Day in the Life
The surfmen and boathandlers followed a strict schedule that included different drills on specific days. But when there was a wreck, they ignited a coston's flare to signal the stranded ship and alert the station crew. "Ship Ashore!" was the verbal alarm.
After hauling rescue equipment by hand or horsecart to the beach, the keeper determined where and when to launch the surfboats.
The Breeches Buoy
was used when weather and surf were too extreme to launch the surfboat. The buoy consisted of a pair of canvas breeches fastened inside a life ring and suspended from a lifeline and pulley system between the stranded ship and shore.
The Lyle Gun (a small cannon) was used to shoot a lightweight line to the ship, which in turn was pulled on board by the ship's crew. Along with it came an instruction paddle, block and pulley, the heavier hawser line, and continuous whip lines.
The surfmen erected a twelve-foot wooden crotch to hang the hawser line and breeches buoy over the surf, then they buried an anchor in the sand. Then they brought in one victim at a time as the breeches buoy was steadily hauled back and forth from the shipwreck to the shore. The time and effort involved in using the breeches buoy made the surfboat a preferable and more effective method for doing rescues.
The Cape Cod Canal opened in 1914 and offered a safe route for traveling ships. The era of the U.S. Lifesaving Service was over.
-Chronology of Early Lifesaving-
1786- The Humane Society of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is formed. Governor James Bowdoin is elected first president. Society offers prizes to anyone who might develop a technique for reviving persons "near death" by drowning or overcome by smoke or gases. Within a few years, the Massachusetts Humane Society constructs "Huts of Refuge" so that shipwrecked persons might find shelter along the coast of Massachusetts.
1789- Congress assumes responsible harbors and approaches.
1790- On August 4, President George Washington signs legislation authorizing Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury, to build 10 cutters to collect duty in American ports. The date is celebrated as the birthday of the U.S. Coast Guard.
1807- Mass Humane Society builds first surfboats and equips many "Huts of Refuge" with boats and equipment to be used by volunteer crews in rescues.
1848- Congress passes the Newell Act, which provides construction of structures to house life-saving rescue equipment in traditional shipwreck areas, principally the New Jersey coastal approaches to New York harbor.
1852- U.S. Lighthouse Board created by Congress to better administer lighthouse/lightship responsibilities and to correct the many deficiencies within the establishment. Many lighthouses are upgraded with Fresnel lenses.
1871- U.S. Life-Saving Service [USLSS] is established. Sumner I. Kimball becomes its first and only General Superintendent. Approximately 280 stations are built on the East and West Coasts plus Great Lakes to aid in the rescue of shipwrecked men.
1915- On January 20, 1915 the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service and U.S. Life-Saving Service are combined and renamed U.S. Coast Guard.
1939- In July, Congress merges U.S. Lighthouse Service with the U.S. Coast Guard.
