Five years ago Daniel Couch wrote an article for Village Realty titled, Shipwreck Salvaging is a Time-honored Tradition on Hatteras and Ocracoke.
Couch included this story about Ocracoke Methodist preacher, Rev. Lawrence Olin Wyche:
"Many years ago, David Stick underscored the intensity of wreck busting
in an interview he conducted with an insurance agent at Ocracoke for his
book, 'Graveyard of the Atlantic.'
"'The Ocracokers,' the man
said, 'would drop a body while carrying it to the grave, and leave it on
the road, or leave Sunday services, if someone yelled, 'Ship ashore!''
"Actually,
there appears to be some basis for that assessment. Brother L. O.
Wyche, beloved preacher at Ocracoke, was conducting a revival at the
Methodist Church in the mid-1890s when word spread through the
congregation that a lumber-laden vessel had struck near The Swash.
"Preaching
came to a halt as the men executed an orderly dash out the doors. The
next night, one of the ladies of the church scolded Brother Wyche,
saying the episode was unchristian-like, and our Lord could not possibly
condone such intoxicating behavior.
"The eloquent Wyche, hat in hand, politely responded, 'Don't dwell on it, good sister. He'd have done the same thing for us….'"
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of the Ocracoke Lighthouse,
with information (and an artist's sketch) about the earliest lantern room. You can read the
Newsletter here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/ocracoke-lighthouse/.
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Philip I wonder if you could tell me what the full-time residents think about the new passenger ferry. Seems it will make OI more "touristry" and we have always enjoyed visiting because it didn't feel that eay. Thanks for your insight.
ReplyDeleteI think the jury is still out re. the passenger ferry. Many folks already come to Ocracoke just for the day, so the passenger ferry has the potential to make that day trip more enjoyable. Also, in some ways it will be like coming to Ocracoke many years ago on the mailboat. We'll see.
DeleteI don't remember hearing about folks, in the past, coming to Ocracoke just for the day. But as you say, the verdict is still out. Will look forward to hearing your thoughts after the first season. Thanks.
DeletePhilip I just heard on UNCTV program FIRST IN FUTURE, June 2, that Ocracoke was loosing it's dialect because 2/3 of the people that live there now are NOT from there. It's scary to know that only 1/3 of the people on Ocracoke actually have roots there. They predict the dialect is disappearing faster than should be because of the new residents. Any comment on this? The touristy feeling might be taking over permanently.
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult to maintain regional dialects without isolation. Even then, dialects change over time. Ocracoke has doubled in population since the mid-20th century, but the "brogue" is still prominent in a number of residents, even among some young folks.
DeleteNow if a ship washes up on OI will the current residents leave a revival? Or are the present day revivals well attended? Are there present day revivals at all? Anyway some beachcomber will post video on face book the grounding of the ship.
ReplyDeleteOld-time revivals are just a memory on Ocracoke.
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