Click on the following link to go directly to the page: http://www.coresound.com/saltwaterconnections/portlight/aleta/
Many thanks to the folks at the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center for sharing this information on the Web!
Monday, May 22, 2017
Mailboat Aleta
This month we share with our readers a wonderful web site with photos and stories about the mailboat Aleta.
You can not only read a delightful description of this iconic vessel,
but you can also listen to 7 short audio recordings of interviews with
Ellen Marie Cloud, daughter of one of the Aleta's captains. She relates
first-hand memories of coming to Ocracoke in the early 20th century.
Click on the following link to go directly to the page: http://www.coresound.com/saltwaterconnections/portlight/aleta/
Many thanks to the folks at the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center for sharing this information on the Web!
Click on the following link to go directly to the page: http://www.coresound.com/saltwaterconnections/portlight/aleta/
Many thanks to the folks at the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center for sharing this information on the Web!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Philip,
ReplyDeleteThe Aleta ia buried in the South River just off the Neuse River close to Oriental. I wonder how it actually sank. How did it end up in the South river, it goes nowhere. Was it towed then sunk? Can you shed any light on this? Was anything salvaged off her? A bell, A wheel? A nameplate? I am just interested. Thank you. NS
NS, after the Dolphin secured the mail contract the Aleta was converted to a shrimp trawler. It was sold off the island. I don't know who purchased the boat, or how it ended up in the South River. I have heard idle talk about recovering the Aleta, but no one has the money and interest to actually do it. The ship's wheel and captain's stool are on display at the Ocracoke Preservation Museum. They are on loan from Chester Lynn, Capt. George O'Neal's grandson.
ReplyDeleteSeems to me those Pony Express riders had a better Public relations department. The Mail Boats and their captains perhaps provided a service that exceeds that of pony express riders in story and yarn possibilities. On a Lighter note, The post office is replacing heavy canvas sacks with light weight transparent "sacks"/bags. Save the sacks --no doubt someone will buy at surplus those retired smelly dirty who knows where they have been, lovable iconic mail sacks. I want one too..... Please occupy the Post Office. send your cards and letters to your favorite relative --Preserve the Hand written note, a small stationary company Rifle paper Co can meet all your life style needs go on line to see their fantastic selection. perhaps your gift shop would be interested in stocking the product line.
ReplyDeleteIf you follow the link provided, you can hear a recording of Ellen Marie Cloud explain how the Aleta ended up in the South River. It is the recording titled, "Sad Story".
ReplyDeleteI guess I am getting old! I forgot that. It has been a while since I listened to the recording.
DeleteFollow the link... What link?
DeleteThe link to "Sad Story" on http://www.coresound.com/saltwaterconnections/portlight/aleta/
DeleteThanks Philip for the info on the South River sinking. We will visit your shop AND the museum when we stay there in a few weeks...NS
ReplyDeletePhilip, besides a massive amount of bugs of all types on Portsmouth Island and some old buildings what else is there (yes we know a beach) and the most important question: whwn is the best time of the year(bugwise) to visit that place with one of the 4 wheel tour companies that operate out of Ocracoke?
ReplyDeleteMy favorite time to visit Portsmouth is on a mild winter day. A bit of a breeze is always good. I have walked through Portsmouth village in July just wearing a bathing suit and t-shirt; no bugs!! With that said, the bugs can be horrific, so pick a breezy day after a dry spell. The mosquitoes hatch several days after a rain. Also, ask the people who will be taking you over. Remember, no private vehicles, including 4-wheelers, are permitted in the village. The village has more than just a few old buildings. The Life-Saving Station/Coast Guard Station is outfitted, complete with a surf boat, life-saving equipment, and historical displays. The Salter House/Visitors Center has several informative displays, as does the Gilgo House (mostly photos there) and the Post Office and Church are maintained as historically accurate as possible.
DeleteThank you....I think that outfit had their own 4 wheelers as part of the 'tour' But somone told me they do not run in the winter (which as you said was the best time to go)I'll just have to look into it more. But it does sound like fun.
ReplyDelete