Most likely the coal was originally cargo or fuel on a schooner or steamboat that wrecked offshore. The steamboat Home was a coal-fired vessel that wrecked in 1837. The George W. Wells was a collier, and one of the largest schooners ever built. She wrecked in 1913.
A lump of coal may not seem very interesting, but it is a reminder of a grand seafaring tradition, tragedy offshore, and the bravery and courage of members of the US Life Saving Service.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a reprint of a 1948 article about the Mail Boat Aleta, "Boat Hauls Mail, More." You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news032114.htm.
Funny how a seemingly small insignificant object can trigger a lump in your throat.
ReplyDeleteIt always amazes me when kids or even young adults visit my antique stove collection and see the buckets of coal sitting beside some of the old stoves and ask?? What is that or how is that used?? - - You need to add that to the display of the old Hot Blast style round stove in the OPS Museum, if of course was design to burn coal. - Nollie
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