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Today is the 177th anniversary of the wreck of the steamship Home. On this date in 1837 a violent storm drove the Home onto Ocracoke's beach. At least ninety people (men, women and children) lost their lives. This was the greatest sea disaster ever on the North Carolina coast.

From Steamboat Disasters & Railroad Accidents
in the United States by S.A. Howland

One year later, in response to the terrible loss of life, the US Congress passed a law requiring every sea-going vessel to carry at least one life vest for every person on board the ship.

Ocracoke native, Walter Howard, chronicled the story of the Home in vivid detail. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news100104.htm.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is about the Unionist North Carolina State Government established at Hatteras in 1861. You can read all about it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news092114.htm.