Yesterday I wrote about Richard Dobbs Spaight (1758-1802), a prominent North Carolina public figure who advocated for the construction of a fort on Beacon Island in Ocracoke Inlet. In 1802, after a bitter public feud with attorney and political rival John Stanly (1774-1834), Spaight agreed to meet Stanly for a duel to settle their disagreements.
On September 5, 1802, on the fourth round of the duel, Spaight was shot in the side, and died the next day.
According to NCpedia, "[O]n November 5, 1802, the General Assembly (1802) passed an act 'to Prevent the Vile Practice of Dueling within this state.' The death of a high-profile politician pushed many to consider the drawbacks of dueling, and the new law prohibited duel participants from holding public office and required them to pay a heavy fine. It also stated that the survivor of a duel to the death would be executed without benefit of clergy. Though as historian Bertram Wyatt-Brown writes (2007, 303), 'it would be a mistake…to argue that duels were as much deplored as southern hand-wringing would lead an observer to believe.' Many prominent North Carolinians simply took their duels to Virginia or South Carolina in following years. Ultimately, since those politicians who passed anti-dueling laws were from the social class that most often engaged in dueling, such legislation was rarely enforced....
"... Not until the massive social and cultural changes of the Civil War era did dueling truly die in the South."
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of Village Craftsmen (1970 - the Present). You can read the Newsletter here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/history-village-craftsmen-ocracoke-island/.
Tuesday, April 03, 2018
Monday, April 02, 2018
1801 Letter
In 1801 Richard Dobbs Spaight (1758–1802) of New Bern, NC, wrote a letter to President Thomas Jefferson which highlighted the importance of Ocracoke Inlet. Spaight was a member of the Continental Congress from 1783 to 1785, a delegate to the federal Constitutional Convention in 1787, and governor of North Carolina from 1792 to 1795. In 1798 he won a special election to fill the congressional seat vacated by the death of his predecessor, Nathan Bryan.
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Washington City 4 March 1801.
SIR,
When Congress first began to fortify the ports & Harbours of the United States in 1794, among others a fort was directed to be erected on Beacon Island near Ocracock bar, to defend that Inlet. An Engineer was sent forward, who laid off the fort and the works were commenced, & carried on untill November following.
From the neglect of the then Secretary of War … nothing was done. In 1796 … the works were discontinued & remained so untill I took my seat in Congress in Decr. 1798….
All the trade of No. Carolina except what is carried on at Wilmington, and a little at Beaufort & Swannsborough, passes over Ocracock bar: and the fort at Beacon Island command both Harbours, or, roads, where the shipping bound either in, or out come too in order to lighten, to enable them to pass the swash. It likewise commands both the passages that lead from the harbours or roads, up into the Country.
I could venture to say to a Certainty that the revenue saved to the United States, in consequence of a fort being built, and a surveyor established there will fully eaqual the Annual expenditure, occasioned by the Establishment, and in my Opinion, will in the course of ten or a Dozen years repay the United States the monies which the works will cost.
I have thus agreeably to your desire thrown my Ideas on this subject in a hasty manner on paper, and I make no doubt but that an Object of such magnitude, will receive due attention from The administration.
With Sentiments of Consideration & Respect I am Sir, Your most Obt. Sevt.
RICHD. DOBBS SPAIGHT
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Construction of a fort at Beacon Island was not resumed during Thomas Jefferson’s administration. In 1806 Henry Dearborn (builder of the first lighthouse at Cape Hatteras and the first lighthouse on Shell Castle in Ocracoke Inlet) reported that gunboats would more effectively protect Ocracoke Inlet than a fixed fortification.
You can read the entire letter from Rihard Spaight here: http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-33-02-0130
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Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of Village Craftsmen (1970 - the Present). You can read the Newsletter here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/history-village-craftsmen-ocracoke-island/.
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Washington City 4 March 1801.
SIR,
When Congress first began to fortify the ports & Harbours of the United States in 1794, among others a fort was directed to be erected on Beacon Island near Ocracock bar, to defend that Inlet. An Engineer was sent forward, who laid off the fort and the works were commenced, & carried on untill November following.
From the neglect of the then Secretary of War … nothing was done. In 1796 … the works were discontinued & remained so untill I took my seat in Congress in Decr. 1798….
All the trade of No. Carolina except what is carried on at Wilmington, and a little at Beaufort & Swannsborough, passes over Ocracock bar: and the fort at Beacon Island command both Harbours, or, roads, where the shipping bound either in, or out come too in order to lighten, to enable them to pass the swash. It likewise commands both the passages that lead from the harbours or roads, up into the Country.
I could venture to say to a Certainty that the revenue saved to the United States, in consequence of a fort being built, and a surveyor established there will fully eaqual the Annual expenditure, occasioned by the Establishment, and in my Opinion, will in the course of ten or a Dozen years repay the United States the monies which the works will cost.
I have thus agreeably to your desire thrown my Ideas on this subject in a hasty manner on paper, and I make no doubt but that an Object of such magnitude, will receive due attention from The administration.
With Sentiments of Consideration & Respect I am Sir, Your most Obt. Sevt.
RICHD. DOBBS SPAIGHT
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Construction of a fort at Beacon Island was not resumed during Thomas Jefferson’s administration. In 1806 Henry Dearborn (builder of the first lighthouse at Cape Hatteras and the first lighthouse on Shell Castle in Ocracoke Inlet) reported that gunboats would more effectively protect Ocracoke Inlet than a fixed fortification.
You can read the entire letter from Rihard Spaight here: http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-33-02-0130
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Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of Village Craftsmen (1970 - the Present). You can read the Newsletter here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/history-village-craftsmen-ocracoke-island/.
Friday, March 30, 2018
Happy Easter!
Since we will not be publishing posts over the weekend, allow us to wish all of our readers a very Happy Easter! If you will be on the island this coming week be sure to stop by and say hello. We love seeing old friends and making new ones.
Below is a humorous Easter story from some time ago.
A number of years past (if I recollect correctly it was the late 1970s) a young man (I will call him Ron) found his way to Ocracoke. He owned an old two-wheel drive van, and enjoyed fishing. He had learned to slacken his tires so he could drive on the beach. One Saturday evening he and his girlfriend decided to drive out to the South Point for a picnic, and to do some fishing. It was springtime, the weather had turned warm, and the island was still quiet. They were alone on the beach. After nightfall they decided to go skinny dipping.
After getting out of the water, instead of dressing, they simply got in the van and proceeded to drive back home. Just as they were approaching the ramp at the airport the van got bogged down in the soft sand and stopped. They were stuck. By then it was late so they decided to sleep in the van, and find someone to pull them out in the morning.
At daybreak Nature called, and Ron opened the back doors of the van and jumped out, still in his birthday suit. He was shocked to see several hundred people, including the local preachers, standing around his van. Ron had inadvertently joined the annual Easter sunrise service! As he explained to me later, that was first time he'd been to church in several years.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of Village Craftsmen (1970 - the Present). You can read the Newsletter here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/history-village-craftsmen-ocracoke-island/.
Below is a humorous Easter story from some time ago.
A number of years past (if I recollect correctly it was the late 1970s) a young man (I will call him Ron) found his way to Ocracoke. He owned an old two-wheel drive van, and enjoyed fishing. He had learned to slacken his tires so he could drive on the beach. One Saturday evening he and his girlfriend decided to drive out to the South Point for a picnic, and to do some fishing. It was springtime, the weather had turned warm, and the island was still quiet. They were alone on the beach. After nightfall they decided to go skinny dipping.
After getting out of the water, instead of dressing, they simply got in the van and proceeded to drive back home. Just as they were approaching the ramp at the airport the van got bogged down in the soft sand and stopped. They were stuck. By then it was late so they decided to sleep in the van, and find someone to pull them out in the morning.
At daybreak Nature called, and Ron opened the back doors of the van and jumped out, still in his birthday suit. He was shocked to see several hundred people, including the local preachers, standing around his van. Ron had inadvertently joined the annual Easter sunrise service! As he explained to me later, that was first time he'd been to church in several years.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of Village Craftsmen (1970 - the Present). You can read the Newsletter here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/history-village-craftsmen-ocracoke-island/.
Thursday, March 29, 2018
South Dock
On Tuesday I asked if any of our readers know what is meant when we talk of Ocracoke's South Dock.
It may be counter-intuitive, but the South Ferry Dock is on Ocracoke's north end. You might wonder why this would be, but after a moment's reflection you will see the logic. Hatteras Inlet has two NCDOT ferry docks: one on the north side of the inlet (on the south end of Hatteras Island); the other on the south side of the inlet (on the north end of Ocracoke Island). When ferry personnel are talking about the ferry operation across Hatteras Inlet they will refer to the North Dock (on Hatteras) or the South Dock (on Ocracoke).
The ferry docks in Silver Lake are simply called the Cedar Island/Swan Quarter docks.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of Village Craftsmen (1970 - the Present). You can read the Newsletter here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/history-village-craftsmen-ocracoke-island/.
It may be counter-intuitive, but the South Ferry Dock is on Ocracoke's north end. You might wonder why this would be, but after a moment's reflection you will see the logic. Hatteras Inlet has two NCDOT ferry docks: one on the north side of the inlet (on the south end of Hatteras Island); the other on the south side of the inlet (on the north end of Ocracoke Island). When ferry personnel are talking about the ferry operation across Hatteras Inlet they will refer to the North Dock (on Hatteras) or the South Dock (on Ocracoke).
The ferry docks in Silver Lake are simply called the Cedar Island/Swan Quarter docks.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of Village Craftsmen (1970 - the Present). You can read the Newsletter here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/history-village-craftsmen-ocracoke-island/.
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
Victrola
Over the years our family has owned a couple of vintage Victrolas. This one is too large to fit comfortably in any of our homes, so Amy had it brought over to Village Craftsmen.
Manufactured by the Victor Talking Machine Company (Camden, N.J.) in 1916, the Victrola works well. On your next visit to Village Craftsmen, take a look at this vintage machine. You can even choose a record (we have dozens), place it on the turntable, rotate the crank, and lower the needle. Many of the records are a bit scratchy, but they will give you an idea of what your grandparents and great grandparents listened to more than a century ago.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of Village Craftsmen (1970 - the Present). You can read the Newsletter here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/history-village-craftsmen-ocracoke-island/.
Manufactured by the Victor Talking Machine Company (Camden, N.J.) in 1916, the Victrola works well. On your next visit to Village Craftsmen, take a look at this vintage machine. You can even choose a record (we have dozens), place it on the turntable, rotate the crank, and lower the needle. Many of the records are a bit scratchy, but they will give you an idea of what your grandparents and great grandparents listened to more than a century ago.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of Village Craftsmen (1970 - the Present). You can read the Newsletter here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/history-village-craftsmen-ocracoke-island/.
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
Another Quiz
Here is another Ocracoke Island quiz:
If you hear talk of Ocracoke's "South Dock" what is this term referring to?
Look for the answer on Thursday.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of Village Craftsmen (1970 - the Present). You can read the Newsletter here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/history-village-craftsmen-ocracoke-island/.
If you hear talk of Ocracoke's "South Dock" what is this term referring to?
Look for the answer on Thursday.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of Village Craftsmen (1970 - the Present). You can read the Newsletter here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/history-village-craftsmen-ocracoke-island/.
Monday, March 26, 2018
Tuberculosis on the Outer Banks
By the late nineteenth century tuberculosis was raging throughout Europe and America. Tuberculosis
(sometimes called consumption or the white plague) struck a number of Outer Bankers (many of whom traveled to Black Mountain, NC*, for a cure), as illustrated by the following few examples.
Ocracoke native John Wilson McWilliams (b. 1869) left the island sometime after 1910 for Black Mountain to relieve his tuberculosis.
On Wednesday, January 27, 1927, siblings of M. W. Gilgo of Portsmouth Island (who "had been very sick of tuberculosis for a long time") were called to his bedside. Mr. M. W. Gilgo died at his home on Portsmouth on Thursday at 10:30 a.m.
Fannie W. Midgett (b.June 4, 1897) of Buxton, NC, died of tuberculosis in Black Mountain, NC, on Nov. 19, 1925. In 1921 she was admitted to Cragmont Sanatorium. Fannie Midgett kept a diary from Jan. 1, 1921 to June 13, 1921. You can read her diary here.
I am not aware of any recent cases of TB on the Outer Banks. However, although by the mid-twentieth century there were signs that tuberculosis might be totally eliminated, a resurgence of the disease occurred in the 1980s. In response, the World Health Organization issued a declaration of a global health emergency in 1993. Every year, nearly half a million new cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis are estimated to occur worldwide.
This past Saturday, March 24, was World TB Day.
According to Wikipedia, "March 24 commemorates the day in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch astounded the scientific community by announcing to a small group of scientists at the University of Berlin's Institute of Hygiene that he had discovered the cause of tuberculosis, the TB bacillus."
Wikipedia goes on to state that "At the time of Koch's announcement in Berlin, TB was...causing the death of one out of every seven people."
* Black Mountain (near the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, 15 miles east of Asheville) had a least two tuberculosis sanatoriums"
Ocracoke native John Wilson McWilliams (b. 1869) left the island sometime after 1910 for Black Mountain to relieve his tuberculosis.
On Wednesday, January 27, 1927, siblings of M. W. Gilgo of Portsmouth Island (who "had been very sick of tuberculosis for a long time") were called to his bedside. Mr. M. W. Gilgo died at his home on Portsmouth on Thursday at 10:30 a.m.
Fannie W. Midgett (b.June 4, 1897) of Buxton, NC, died of tuberculosis in Black Mountain, NC, on Nov. 19, 1925. In 1921 she was admitted to Cragmont Sanatorium. Fannie Midgett kept a diary from Jan. 1, 1921 to June 13, 1921. You can read her diary here.
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| Cragmont Sanitorium |
I am not aware of any recent cases of TB on the Outer Banks. However, although by the mid-twentieth century there were signs that tuberculosis might be totally eliminated, a resurgence of the disease occurred in the 1980s. In response, the World Health Organization issued a declaration of a global health emergency in 1993. Every year, nearly half a million new cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis are estimated to occur worldwide.
This past Saturday, March 24, was World TB Day.
According to Wikipedia, "March 24 commemorates the day in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch astounded the scientific community by announcing to a small group of scientists at the University of Berlin's Institute of Hygiene that he had discovered the cause of tuberculosis, the TB bacillus."
Wikipedia goes on to state that "At the time of Koch's announcement in Berlin, TB was...causing the death of one out of every seven people."
* Black Mountain (near the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, 15 miles east of Asheville) had a least two tuberculosis sanatoriums"
- Cragmont Sanatorium was established in 1906 to treat “all classes of consumptives.” Rates were $20 to $35 per week, and the sanatorium had a capacity of 30 patients.
- The Pines (est. 1901) was for “incipient and moderately advanced cases.” Rates were $30 to $30 per week, including nursing and medical attention, and they had a capacity 15. Rooms were advertised as "large, sunny and well ventilated."
Friday, March 23, 2018
Clothes Prop
I recently had new siding and a new red metal roof put on my tool shed. In the process the carpenters took down my clothes line. On a particularly warm and sunny day last week I washed a load of laundry, then re-strung my clothes line.
My neighbor Al came by, and I commented that I needed a clothes prop.
"Nobody nowadays even knows what a clothes prop is," he said jokingly. Then he added a pithy bit of island humor. My father always said Sullivan [Garrish] was so thin he could hide behind a clothes prop!"
I wonder how many of our readers have ever used a clothes prop!
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of Village Craftsmen (1970 - the Present). You can read the Newsletter here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/history-village-craftsmen-ocracoke-island/
My neighbor Al came by, and I commented that I needed a clothes prop.
"Nobody nowadays even knows what a clothes prop is," he said jokingly. Then he added a pithy bit of island humor. My father always said Sullivan [Garrish] was so thin he could hide behind a clothes prop!"
I wonder how many of our readers have ever used a clothes prop!
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of Village Craftsmen (1970 - the Present). You can read the Newsletter here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/history-village-craftsmen-ocracoke-island/
Thursday, March 22, 2018
Historic Ocracoke
In 1978 Karen Duckett, a young woman who had moved to the island from the mainland, wrote a small booklet titled Historic Ocracoke.
The 16 page booklet, which sold for $1.85, traced the history of the island from 1585, when Sir Walter Raleigh's colonists ran aground in the inlet, to the role Ocracoke played in WWII. The booklet includes a map of the island and several line drawings.
Thanks to the work of folks at digitalnc.org, you can view and read this delightful, but now out-of-print, publication here.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of Village Craftsmen (1970 - the Present). You can read the Newsletter here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/history-village-craftsmen-ocracoke-island/.
The 16 page booklet, which sold for $1.85, traced the history of the island from 1585, when Sir Walter Raleigh's colonists ran aground in the inlet, to the role Ocracoke played in WWII. The booklet includes a map of the island and several line drawings.
Thanks to the work of folks at digitalnc.org, you can view and read this delightful, but now out-of-print, publication here.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of Village Craftsmen (1970 - the Present). You can read the Newsletter here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/history-village-craftsmen-ocracoke-island/.
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
History of Village Craftsmen
We have just published our latest Ocracoke Newsletter.
This month I write about the history of Village Craftsmen, from the summer of 1970 when we first set up a tipi on Howard Street to sell some of my pen & ink drawings and a few handcrafts...
....to the present day with my daughter Amy as gallery manager, and offering high quality American crafts by several hundred artisans in more than 1,500 square feet of retail space.
You can read the Newsletter here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/history-village-…-ocracoke-island/
This month I write about the history of Village Craftsmen, from the summer of 1970 when we first set up a tipi on Howard Street to sell some of my pen & ink drawings and a few handcrafts...
....to the present day with my daughter Amy as gallery manager, and offering high quality American crafts by several hundred artisans in more than 1,500 square feet of retail space.
You can read the Newsletter here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/history-village-…-ocracoke-island/
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Annie Over the House
My father, Lawton Howard (1911-2002), often told me about playing a childhood game on Ocracoke Island. “Annie Over the House” was a simple island pastime. One child would throw a homemade ball over the
house; the other would try to catch it and then run around the house and
tag the first child.
I was amused a few days ago, when the weather turned mild, to see that my grandson and a friend had re-invented the game.
The only difference I could see was that my father's generation didn't have dog ball throwers or fluorescent green tennis balls.
So far there have been no broken windows!
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
I was amused a few days ago, when the weather turned mild, to see that my grandson and a friend had re-invented the game.
The only difference I could see was that my father's generation didn't have dog ball throwers or fluorescent green tennis balls.
So far there have been no broken windows!
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
Monday, March 19, 2018
Open
Village Craftsmen opened for the 2018 season on Thursday of last week.
Amy Howard and her staff have been working diligently during the winter months to add new American handcrafts, construct shelving, paint existing displays, rearrange items, and add more light & color to better highlight our crafts.
Amy, Desiree, and Finley will be at the gallery to welcome you to Ocracoke and Village Craftsmen, so be sure to stroll down Howard Street and pay us a visit whenever you are on the island. We've even added a vintage Victrola (with dozens of 78rpm records) that you can play while browsing the gallery (more about the Victrola in a future post).
We hope to see you soon!
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
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| Desiree Ricker & Amy Howard, Mgr. |
Amy Howard and her staff have been working diligently during the winter months to add new American handcrafts, construct shelving, paint existing displays, rearrange items, and add more light & color to better highlight our crafts.
Amy, Desiree, and Finley will be at the gallery to welcome you to Ocracoke and Village Craftsmen, so be sure to stroll down Howard Street and pay us a visit whenever you are on the island. We've even added a vintage Victrola (with dozens of 78rpm records) that you can play while browsing the gallery (more about the Victrola in a future post).
We hope to see you soon!
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
Friday, March 16, 2018
Old Quawk's Day
Below is my annual tribute to Old Quawk:
About 200 years ago there lived on Ocracoke Island a fisherman of indeterminate provenance. He was a reclusive figure, preferring to live in a small hut made of driftwood and bullrushes about 5-6 miles from the village. No one remembers his given name, but folks called him "Old Quawk" because, they said, he "quawked" like an old night heron.
Old Quawk was a fisherman, often venturing out into Pamlico Sound in his sail skiff when cautious islanders stayed in port waiting for more propitious weather.
On this date, March 16, many years past, Old Quawk made his last voyage into Pamlico Sound. Storm clouds were piling up in the darkening sky. Legend has it that Old Quawk defiantly disregarded the warnings of other islanders, raised his clenched fist to the heavens and dared the gods to thwart him, then set out in his sail skiff. A frightful gale churned the Sound into a wild turbulence and swamped Old Quawk's tiny craft. Neither Old Quawk nor his boat were ever found.
For many years Ocracoke fishermen refused to go out in their boats on March 16. Even today it's best to be prudent on Old Quawk's Day. There's no telling what the weather gods will dish out on March 16.
For another account of Old Quawk see https://www.ncpedia.org/old-quawks-day.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
About 200 years ago there lived on Ocracoke Island a fisherman of indeterminate provenance. He was a reclusive figure, preferring to live in a small hut made of driftwood and bullrushes about 5-6 miles from the village. No one remembers his given name, but folks called him "Old Quawk" because, they said, he "quawked" like an old night heron.
Old Quawk was a fisherman, often venturing out into Pamlico Sound in his sail skiff when cautious islanders stayed in port waiting for more propitious weather.
On this date, March 16, many years past, Old Quawk made his last voyage into Pamlico Sound. Storm clouds were piling up in the darkening sky. Legend has it that Old Quawk defiantly disregarded the warnings of other islanders, raised his clenched fist to the heavens and dared the gods to thwart him, then set out in his sail skiff. A frightful gale churned the Sound into a wild turbulence and swamped Old Quawk's tiny craft. Neither Old Quawk nor his boat were ever found.
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| "Old Quawk" in July 4th Parade |
For many years Ocracoke fishermen refused to go out in their boats on March 16. Even today it's best to be prudent on Old Quawk's Day. There's no telling what the weather gods will dish out on March 16.
For another account of Old Quawk see https://www.ncpedia.org/old-quawks-day.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
Thursday, March 15, 2018
Figs
It must be spring! According to the astronomical method of calculation, spring officially begins March 20 (an earlier version of this post said today, an obvious error!). But according to the meteorological calendar spring began on March 1, and lasts until May 31. Regard less, and in spite of the present cold snap, it must be spring. The fig trees tell the story. I took this photo yesterday.
You can see the new fig leaves bursting forth...and the tiny figs forming nearby. Here is a detail of the photo:
I have written about Ocracoke figs several times in the past. Interested fig-lovers can read more here: https://villagecraftsmen.blogspot.com/search?q=figs.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
You can see the new fig leaves bursting forth...and the tiny figs forming nearby. Here is a detail of the photo:
I have written about Ocracoke figs several times in the past. Interested fig-lovers can read more here: https://villagecraftsmen.blogspot.com/search?q=figs.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
Island Guests, 1949
In previous posts I have quoted from a 1949 letter about a visit to Ocracoke written by C.A. Weslager from Wilmington, Delaware. Below is another interesting paragraph from that letter about several other guests at the Wahab Village Hotel (now Blackbeard's Lodge).
"This hotel is now frequented by fishermen from southern cities, and a few couples who are seeking rest. Some of the guests, with whom we became friendly, will interest you. There was Lester Johnston and his wife -- he operates a retail grocery store in Bel Haven, N.C. [sic]. They came to rest. Olsen is an engineer with Western Electric at Winston-Salem. He and his wife came to fish. There was a handsome pediatrician from New York city, Dr. Clement Cobb, bronzed from a two week exposure to the sun. (He walked nude on the beach whenever he got the chance, to get the full benefit of the sun, collecting shells and making bird studies. He is a very capable ornithologist.) Cobb came to rest preparatory to an operation. There were two spinster sisters who own a photographic business in Smithfield, N.C., a middle-aged librarian from Washington, D.C., who came alone, bringing bottled cocktails in her bag, and two partners who run a Buick agency in Raleigh. Finally, a dentist form Charleston, W. Va., his wife, their flapperish daughter (a blonde) and her red-haired boyfriend. The younger couple were gone off every day alone. I almost forgot an aged banker, who seemed near the condition known to the physician as "in extremis," and his wife who catered to his every want as one would care for a small baby....
"The guests themselves provided enough material for a novel, and our two bottles of bourbon and case of ale enabled us to break down any social barriers that might have otherwise existed."
Sounds like a sampling of present-day visitors to the island!
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
"This hotel is now frequented by fishermen from southern cities, and a few couples who are seeking rest. Some of the guests, with whom we became friendly, will interest you. There was Lester Johnston and his wife -- he operates a retail grocery store in Bel Haven, N.C. [sic]. They came to rest. Olsen is an engineer with Western Electric at Winston-Salem. He and his wife came to fish. There was a handsome pediatrician from New York city, Dr. Clement Cobb, bronzed from a two week exposure to the sun. (He walked nude on the beach whenever he got the chance, to get the full benefit of the sun, collecting shells and making bird studies. He is a very capable ornithologist.) Cobb came to rest preparatory to an operation. There were two spinster sisters who own a photographic business in Smithfield, N.C., a middle-aged librarian from Washington, D.C., who came alone, bringing bottled cocktails in her bag, and two partners who run a Buick agency in Raleigh. Finally, a dentist form Charleston, W. Va., his wife, their flapperish daughter (a blonde) and her red-haired boyfriend. The younger couple were gone off every day alone. I almost forgot an aged banker, who seemed near the condition known to the physician as "in extremis," and his wife who catered to his every want as one would care for a small baby....
"The guests themselves provided enough material for a novel, and our two bottles of bourbon and case of ale enabled us to break down any social barriers that might have otherwise existed."
Sounds like a sampling of present-day visitors to the island!
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
Tuesday, March 13, 2018
Hatteras Beacon
Tilman F. Smith served as keeper of the Ocracoke Lighthouse from 1898 until 1910.
Smith was transferred from the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse where he had served from 1878 - 1887 (as Assistant Keeper) and from 1888 - 1897 (as Head Keeper). While serving at Cape Hatteras he was also responsible for the "Hatteras Beacon," a small lighthouse at Cape Point.
Built in 1855, the Hatteras Beacon was moved a number of times because of its exposed and vulnerable location. Keeper Smith was recorded as having lit the tower for the last time in November, 1898. However, at that time Smith was already serving at Ocracoke. It is likely that the date was actually 1893. At any rate, after Smith lit the beacon it was closed and replaced by a small light mounted on a post. Nothing remains of the Hatteras Beacon.
You can read more about the Hatteras Beacon here: http://www.lighthousedigest.com/Digest/StoryPage.cfm?StoryKey=1012.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
Smith was transferred from the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse where he had served from 1878 - 1887 (as Assistant Keeper) and from 1888 - 1897 (as Head Keeper). While serving at Cape Hatteras he was also responsible for the "Hatteras Beacon," a small lighthouse at Cape Point.
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| US Lighthouse Service Image |
Built in 1855, the Hatteras Beacon was moved a number of times because of its exposed and vulnerable location. Keeper Smith was recorded as having lit the tower for the last time in November, 1898. However, at that time Smith was already serving at Ocracoke. It is likely that the date was actually 1893. At any rate, after Smith lit the beacon it was closed and replaced by a small light mounted on a post. Nothing remains of the Hatteras Beacon.
You can read more about the Hatteras Beacon here: http://www.lighthousedigest.com/Digest/StoryPage.cfm?StoryKey=1012.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
Monday, March 12, 2018
Bache Brothers
This 1852 map is the earliest I have discovered with the spelling Ocracoke:
This detail of the map shows it was produced by the U. S. Coast Survey, A. D. Bache, Superintendent.
A friend recently wrote that she has "long been intrigued by [A. D. Bache] and his family." Then, while reading Brilliant Beacons, a 2016 book about the American Lighthouse by Eric Jay Dolin, I noticed that A. D. Bache (pronounced "Back") and his brothers were closely connected to the early establishment and maintenance of lighthouses on our coasts. So, who were these Bache brothers?, I wondered.
Alexander Dallas Bache (1806-1867) was an American physicist who graduated first in his class (at age nineteen) at West Point. He later worked on the fundamentals of electromagnetism, an endeavor that led to the development of the telegraph. As an accomplished surveyor, he was appointed Superintendent of the U. S. Coast Survey in 1843, a position he held until his death. Under his leadership the Coast Survey conducted detailed surveys that mapped the eastern coastline of the United States. Bache also was chosen to serve as the civil engineer on the newly created Lighthouse Board in 1851. Interestingly, he was also a great-grandson of Benjamin Franklin, one of the founders of the new Republic.
In 1838 A. D.'s brother, Lt. George Mifflin Bache, had been chosen by President Jackson to inspect the nation's lighthouses, and to make recommendations about site selections, quality of the lights, and conditions of the towers.
In 1845 Richard Bache, another of A. D.'s brothers, was one of two Navy lieutenants sent by President Polk's Secretary of the Treasury, Robert J. Walker (the Bache brothers' brother-in-law), to inspect European lighthouses, and report on ways to improve the American beacons.
Yet another brother, Hartman Bache (1798-1872), an engineer with the U. S. Army Corps of Topographical Engineers, was chosen as west coast lighthouse inspector in 1855.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
This detail of the map shows it was produced by the U. S. Coast Survey, A. D. Bache, Superintendent.
A friend recently wrote that she has "long been intrigued by [A. D. Bache] and his family." Then, while reading Brilliant Beacons, a 2016 book about the American Lighthouse by Eric Jay Dolin, I noticed that A. D. Bache (pronounced "Back") and his brothers were closely connected to the early establishment and maintenance of lighthouses on our coasts. So, who were these Bache brothers?, I wondered.
Alexander Dallas Bache (1806-1867) was an American physicist who graduated first in his class (at age nineteen) at West Point. He later worked on the fundamentals of electromagnetism, an endeavor that led to the development of the telegraph. As an accomplished surveyor, he was appointed Superintendent of the U. S. Coast Survey in 1843, a position he held until his death. Under his leadership the Coast Survey conducted detailed surveys that mapped the eastern coastline of the United States. Bache also was chosen to serve as the civil engineer on the newly created Lighthouse Board in 1851. Interestingly, he was also a great-grandson of Benjamin Franklin, one of the founders of the new Republic.
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| Photo from NOAA |
In 1838 A. D.'s brother, Lt. George Mifflin Bache, had been chosen by President Jackson to inspect the nation's lighthouses, and to make recommendations about site selections, quality of the lights, and conditions of the towers.
In 1845 Richard Bache, another of A. D.'s brothers, was one of two Navy lieutenants sent by President Polk's Secretary of the Treasury, Robert J. Walker (the Bache brothers' brother-in-law), to inspect European lighthouses, and report on ways to improve the American beacons.
Yet another brother, Hartman Bache (1798-1872), an engineer with the U. S. Army Corps of Topographical Engineers, was chosen as west coast lighthouse inspector in 1855.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
Friday, March 09, 2018
Lillie F. Schmidt
On this date in 1883 the schooner, Lillie F. Schmidt wrecked on Ocracoke's beach. The following letter from the vessel's master, addressed to the United States Life Saving Service, was dated March 18, 1883.
DEAR SIR: March 9, at 5:15 a.m., the schooner Lillie F. Schmidt, of Philadelphia, bound from the port of Savannah, Georgia, via Bermuda, to Baltimore, stranded in the breakers about five hundred yards from the beach, about four miles north of Ocracoke light. At the time a strong gale blew from the southward, with thick weather and rough sea. At 8 a.m. was sighted by people from Ocracoke village, who proceeded to the life-saving station, northeast end of Ocracoke Island, and notified Captain J.W. Howard of the stranded vessel, and he and crew, with apparatus, proceeded to wreck as soon as possible, to save the crew. Arriving abreast at 2:30 p.m., prepared and shot a line across the vessel, rigged the breeches buoy, and all hands were safely landed in three-quarters of an hour from arrival on beach abreast of vessel, which, in my opinion, was well done, owing to the great distance vessel was from the beach. Myself and crew being much fatigued and the distance being so great, with no way of getting there without walking the whole distance, Captain Howard arranged and sent us to the village of Ocracoke, where we were all taken care of. I desire to express my grateful thanks to the captain and crew for his and their timely aid and prompt service in landing myself and crew safely from wreck to shore and attending our wants. Your respectfully, P.C. VAN GILDER, Master of Schooner Lillie F. Schmidt
For more information about the wreck see our two previous posts (from 2009 & 2013):
https://villagecraftsmen.blogspot.com/2009/03/lillie-f-schmidt.html
https://villagecraftsmen.blogspot.com/2013/02/lillie-f-schmidt.html
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
DEAR SIR: March 9, at 5:15 a.m., the schooner Lillie F. Schmidt, of Philadelphia, bound from the port of Savannah, Georgia, via Bermuda, to Baltimore, stranded in the breakers about five hundred yards from the beach, about four miles north of Ocracoke light. At the time a strong gale blew from the southward, with thick weather and rough sea. At 8 a.m. was sighted by people from Ocracoke village, who proceeded to the life-saving station, northeast end of Ocracoke Island, and notified Captain J.W. Howard of the stranded vessel, and he and crew, with apparatus, proceeded to wreck as soon as possible, to save the crew. Arriving abreast at 2:30 p.m., prepared and shot a line across the vessel, rigged the breeches buoy, and all hands were safely landed in three-quarters of an hour from arrival on beach abreast of vessel, which, in my opinion, was well done, owing to the great distance vessel was from the beach. Myself and crew being much fatigued and the distance being so great, with no way of getting there without walking the whole distance, Captain Howard arranged and sent us to the village of Ocracoke, where we were all taken care of. I desire to express my grateful thanks to the captain and crew for his and their timely aid and prompt service in landing myself and crew safely from wreck to shore and attending our wants. Your respectfully, P.C. VAN GILDER, Master of Schooner Lillie F. Schmidt
For more information about the wreck see our two previous posts (from 2009 & 2013):
https://villagecraftsmen.blogspot.com/2009/03/lillie-f-schmidt.html
https://villagecraftsmen.blogspot.com/2013/02/lillie-f-schmidt.html
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
Thursday, March 08, 2018
Quiz Answers
On Monday (March 8, 2018) I published this Ocracoke Quiz:
How well do you know Ocracoke? Here is a short quiz to test your familiarity with three island expressions. Leave a comment if you think you can match the phrases with their meanings.
A. We are going to the beach this afternoon.
B. We are going up the beach this afternoon.
C. We are going across the beach this afternoon.
1. We are going swimming this afternoon.
2. We are going for a drive on the beach this afternoon.
3. We are going to Nags Head this afternoon.
The answers are:
A = 1 We are going to the beach this afternoon means we are going swimming this afternoon.
B = 3 We are going up the beach this afternoon means we are going to Nags Head (or in that direction) this afternoon (e.g. to WalMart or Food Lion or to a doctor appointment).
C = 2 We are going across the beach this afternoon generally means we are going for a drive (or a walk) on the beach this afternoon.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
How well do you know Ocracoke? Here is a short quiz to test your familiarity with three island expressions. Leave a comment if you think you can match the phrases with their meanings.
A. We are going to the beach this afternoon.
B. We are going up the beach this afternoon.
C. We are going across the beach this afternoon.
1. We are going swimming this afternoon.
2. We are going for a drive on the beach this afternoon.
3. We are going to Nags Head this afternoon.
The answers are:
A = 1 We are going to the beach this afternoon means we are going swimming this afternoon.
B = 3 We are going up the beach this afternoon means we are going to Nags Head (or in that direction) this afternoon (e.g. to WalMart or Food Lion or to a doctor appointment).
C = 2 We are going across the beach this afternoon generally means we are going for a drive (or a walk) on the beach this afternoon.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
Wednesday, March 07, 2018
Ocracoke's Microgrid
In December, 2016, I wrote about Ocracoke Island's new electric microgrid, a collection of 10 4,000 pound Tesla batteries and 62 solar panels
installed at the Tideland EMC property on Odd Fellows Lane. This is the first
microgrid laboratory installed by North Carolina's electric cooperatives. You can read that post here.
In January of this year, RE Magazine, produced by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, published an informative article about Ocracoke's microgrid.
John Vanvig, author of the article writes that, "it would be hard to find a better place to design, build, and test a microgrid that can stand on its own when central-station power from the grid isn't available." The new system's solar panels can provide an additional 15kW to the island's power supply; the batteries, an additional 500kW (for several hours).
This test installation will provide valuable information for future projects in other communities. The goal, as outlined in the article, is to create an "agile, fractal grid." Agile means the ability to meet power needs quickly and efficiently during service interruptions. Fractal means that smaller subunits would have characteristics and capabilities similar to the main power generating facility.
You can read the article, titled "The Agile, Fractal Grid," here: http://remagazine.coop/co-op-tech-fractal-grid/.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
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| Photo by Heidi Smith |
In January of this year, RE Magazine, produced by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, published an informative article about Ocracoke's microgrid.
John Vanvig, author of the article writes that, "it would be hard to find a better place to design, build, and test a microgrid that can stand on its own when central-station power from the grid isn't available." The new system's solar panels can provide an additional 15kW to the island's power supply; the batteries, an additional 500kW (for several hours).
This test installation will provide valuable information for future projects in other communities. The goal, as outlined in the article, is to create an "agile, fractal grid." Agile means the ability to meet power needs quickly and efficiently during service interruptions. Fractal means that smaller subunits would have characteristics and capabilities similar to the main power generating facility.
You can read the article, titled "The Agile, Fractal Grid," here: http://remagazine.coop/co-op-tech-fractal-grid/.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
Tuesday, March 06, 2018
Ash Wednesday Storm
The Ash Wednesday Storm of March 6-8, 1962, did considerable damage along the Outer Banks. Interestingly, just a few days ago another winter storm (dubbed "Riley" by the Weather Channel*) battered the Northeast, including the Outer Banks. Although Manteo and Hatteras Island experienced coastal flooding, Ocracoke was spared rising tide water, but sustained gale force winds. This sailboat in Silver Lake was blown onto the shore near where Ride the Wind stores their kayaks.
Two months after the 1962 Ash Wednesday Storm, The Chicago Tribune ran this short notice about the effect this storm had on traveling to the Outer Banks:
"Cape Hatteras Storm Damage [1962]
"A spring storm has washed out some of the roads and has damaged Cape Hatteras national seashore park on North Carolina's fabled Outer banks, described in an article in the April I Travelers' Guide. But increased ferry service to Hatteras and Ocracoke islands and a temporary bridge spanning the new inlet cut thru Hatteras island by the storm are facilitating travel to the Outer banks as the prime salt water fishing season begins. Accelerated summer schedules for the free state automobile ferries operating across Oregon and Hatteras inlets are effective thru Sept. 7. A toll ferry, Sea Level, links Ocracoke and Atlantic on the mainland."
* The National Weather Service does not recognize The Weather Channel’s names for winter storms.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
Two months after the 1962 Ash Wednesday Storm, The Chicago Tribune ran this short notice about the effect this storm had on traveling to the Outer Banks:
"Cape Hatteras Storm Damage [1962]
"A spring storm has washed out some of the roads and has damaged Cape Hatteras national seashore park on North Carolina's fabled Outer banks, described in an article in the April I Travelers' Guide. But increased ferry service to Hatteras and Ocracoke islands and a temporary bridge spanning the new inlet cut thru Hatteras island by the storm are facilitating travel to the Outer banks as the prime salt water fishing season begins. Accelerated summer schedules for the free state automobile ferries operating across Oregon and Hatteras inlets are effective thru Sept. 7. A toll ferry, Sea Level, links Ocracoke and Atlantic on the mainland."
* The National Weather Service does not recognize The Weather Channel’s names for winter storms.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
Monday, March 05, 2018
Ocracoke Island Quiz
How well do you know Ocracoke? Here is a short quiz to test your familiarity with three island expressions. Leave a comment if you think you can match the phrases with their meanings.
A. We are going to the beach this afternoon.
B. We are going up the beach this afternoon.
C. We are going across the beach this afternoon.
1. We are going swimming this afternoon.
2. We are going for a drive on the beach this afternoon.
3. We are going to Nags Head this afternoon.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
A. We are going to the beach this afternoon.
B. We are going up the beach this afternoon.
C. We are going across the beach this afternoon.
1. We are going swimming this afternoon.
2. We are going for a drive on the beach this afternoon.
3. We are going to Nags Head this afternoon.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
Friday, March 02, 2018
Coastal Weather Station
Yesterday I wrote about a memorable, but short-lived, squall that churned up the water several decades ago. Over the years weather has had a major impact on the Outer Banks. Storms and hurricanes have caused shipwrecks, erosion, flooding, new inlets, and more than a few drownings.
In 1874 the US Weather Bureau recognized the importance and strategic location of the Outer Banks, and established a coastal weather station on Hatteras Island. The official Hatteras Weather Bureau Station was commissioned and occupied on January 1, 1902.The Weather Bureau operated there until 1946.
The Weather Station has been restored to its 1901 appearance, and is now operated as a welcome center by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau through a partnership agreement with the National Park Service.
You can read more about the US Weather Bureau on Hatteras Island here: https://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/uswbs.htm.
You can also read about Lucy Stowe who worked from 1943 until "she retired in 1980 from a 'storm-proof' reinforced concrete weather building in Buxton complete with weather radar, computerized instrumentation and data networking, and from a service that made forecasts using weather satellites and computerized numeric models." This is the link: https://www.nps.gov/caha/learn/historyculture/lucystowe.htm.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
In 1874 the US Weather Bureau recognized the importance and strategic location of the Outer Banks, and established a coastal weather station on Hatteras Island. The official Hatteras Weather Bureau Station was commissioned and occupied on January 1, 1902.The Weather Bureau operated there until 1946.
The Weather Station has been restored to its 1901 appearance, and is now operated as a welcome center by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau through a partnership agreement with the National Park Service.
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| NPS Photo |
You can read more about the US Weather Bureau on Hatteras Island here: https://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/uswbs.htm.
You can also read about Lucy Stowe who worked from 1943 until "she retired in 1980 from a 'storm-proof' reinforced concrete weather building in Buxton complete with weather radar, computerized instrumentation and data networking, and from a service that made forecasts using weather satellites and computerized numeric models." This is the link: https://www.nps.gov/caha/learn/historyculture/lucystowe.htm.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
Thursday, March 01, 2018
Weather
Weather has always played an important and sometimes dramatic role in Outer Banks life. Just the other day I mentioned to local fisherman and hunting guide Monroe Gaskill about a menacing squall that rolled in sometime in the late 70s or early 80s. I recalled being at the Communitty Store and seeing a solid bank of black clouds advancing towards us. Fearing a tornado, we ushered our children under the heavy butcher block in the center of the store, and peered out the window as the wind tore through the village, whipping up white caps in Silver Lake.
Capt. Rob was anchored in the harbor, and we watched in dread as his sailboat broke loose from its moorings, and made its way towards what looked like a violent collision with the rock jetty on shore. Along the way the sailboat's anchor line caught on the line of a local workboat. Now joined together, both boats were headed for destruction. Just in time, however, one boat went to one side of a lone piling; the other boat went on the other side. Both vessels hung there, precariously close to the rocks. In about 30 minutes the storm passed over, and blue skies and calm returned.
Monroe remembered that squall. At the time, he and Alton Ballance were out in the sound fishing their nets when they spied the black squall. They only had time to pull in about half of their nets before the gale force winds hit them. He recalled it as one of his most violent experiences on the water. There was little to do but hunker down and wait for the fury of the wind to abate. Monroe's workboat bounced up and down on the waves, but when it was over was no worse for the beating it took. Monroe still works from that boat.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
Capt. Rob was anchored in the harbor, and we watched in dread as his sailboat broke loose from its moorings, and made its way towards what looked like a violent collision with the rock jetty on shore. Along the way the sailboat's anchor line caught on the line of a local workboat. Now joined together, both boats were headed for destruction. Just in time, however, one boat went to one side of a lone piling; the other boat went on the other side. Both vessels hung there, precariously close to the rocks. In about 30 minutes the storm passed over, and blue skies and calm returned.
Monroe remembered that squall. At the time, he and Alton Ballance were out in the sound fishing their nets when they spied the black squall. They only had time to pull in about half of their nets before the gale force winds hit them. He recalled it as one of his most violent experiences on the water. There was little to do but hunker down and wait for the fury of the wind to abate. Monroe's workboat bounced up and down on the waves, but when it was over was no worse for the beating it took. Monroe still works from that boat.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Stacy & Elizabeth Howard
Many of our readers have met Cousin Blanche...or know of her from this Blog. Her home is on Howard Street, and I spent many an hour there listening to her share stories about Ocracoke from years ago. Blanche is currently a resident of Spring Arbor, an assisted living facility in Kill Devil Hills. In December she celebrated her 98th birthday. Lachlan and I visited her recently, and we enjoyed a pleasant hour of conversation, catching up on family and friends, remembering island history, and discussing the current news. A few months ago, when Amy and I visited Blanche, one of the other residents stopped to ask us if we had been visiting Miss Blanche. "Yes, we were," I answered. "Well, she must have the most friends," the woman replied, "she gets more visitors than anyone else!"
Blanche is the daughter of Stacy and Elizabeth Ballance Howard. I recently stumbled across a web page with photos and brief biographies of Stacy and Elizabeth. You can view it here: http://www.ncgenweb.us/hyde/photosbios/howardstacy_elizabeth.html.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
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| Blanche & Amy Howard, 2011 |
Blanche is the daughter of Stacy and Elizabeth Ballance Howard. I recently stumbled across a web page with photos and brief biographies of Stacy and Elizabeth. You can view it here: http://www.ncgenweb.us/hyde/photosbios/howardstacy_elizabeth.html.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
Lighthouse Keepers
A reader recently asked about Ocracoke's lighthouse keepers. Although I wrote about this in 2012 I am republishing that post in answer to the current question:
Ocracoke Lighthouse was put into service in 1823. It is the oldest operating lighthouse in North Carolina. A dozen men have served as Keepers of the Ocracoke Light.
The keeper was responsible for lighting the lamp at sunset, ensuring
that it remained lit throughout the night, and extinguishing it at
sunrise. The lamp needed to be filled with fuel daily, and the wick
trimmed regularly. The Fresnel lens and lantern room windows had to be
cleaned and polished every morning. Keepers were required to shine and
polish all of the brass, sweep the floors and stairs, and clean tower
windows and sills as needed. They also cleaned, painted, and repaired
all of the buildings, including the keeper's dwelling, chimneys,
privies, outbuildings, and the tower itself. In addition, keepers were
required to maintain all mechanical equipment, weed walkways, paint and
maintain the fence, and see that the grounds were presentable. They kept
a log book, recorded weather readings, and kept an inventory of all
equipment. Keepers were forbidden to leave the light station without
permission, and were considered to be on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week. They even provided visitors with tours of the lighthouse as
needed.
Lighthouse Keeper was a formidable job. Below are the Keepers of the Ocracoke Light, all highly skilled and dedicated public servants:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
Ocracoke Lighthouse was put into service in 1823. It is the oldest operating lighthouse in North Carolina. A dozen men have served as Keepers of the Ocracoke Light.
Lighthouse Keeper was a formidable job. Below are the Keepers of the Ocracoke Light, all highly skilled and dedicated public servants:
- Joshua Taylor (or Tayloe), 1823-1829 (his title was Collector [of Customs] & Superintendent of Lighthouse)
- Anson Harker, 1829-1846 (first person of record listed as Keeper; Joshua Taylor was listed as Superintendent)
- John Harker, 1847-1853 (probably Anson Harker's son)
- Thomas Styron, 1853-1860
- William J. Gaskill, 1860-1862
- Enoch Ellis Howard 1862-1897 (the longest serving Keeper; he died in office)
- J. Wilson Gillikin 1897-1898
- Tillman F. Smith 1898-1910
- A.B. Hooper 1910-1912
- Leon Wesley Austin 1912-1929
- Joseph Merritt Burrus 1929-1946 (the beacon was electrified in 1929)
- Clyde Farrow 1946-1954 (an employee of the US Coast Guard, not the Lighthouse Service, he was assigned as the last Keeper of the Ocracoke light; the beacon was fully automated in 1954)
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
Monday, February 26, 2018
Wreck Masters & Vendues
About a week and a half ago a reader left this comment on our post about the Life-Saving Service: "With all these ship wrecks and saved passengers and or sailors what
happened to the cargo. Who on the island benefited the most when it came
to salvage rights. That is the part I find interesting, stuff washing
on shore. is it up for grabs because the insurance company pays for
the loss and there it is and a free for all ensues??? If it washes on
shore it is not theft to remove something that does not belong to the
person removing the items??"
I have addressed this issue in the past, but the information is worth repeating.
In the nineteenth century and early twentieth century the federal government appointed wreck masters in coastal communities. These individuals were empowered to take charge of cargo and other goods thrown on shore after a shipwreck. Of course, for generations Ocracokers and others on the isolated Outer Bankers were accustomed to salvaging whatever they could before the sea reclaimed it.
Once wreck masters were appointed, their task was to contact the shipping agent who arranged for a vendue, or auction. The vendue (an old French word) was the occasion for much excitement in coastal areas. Residents and visitors would gather around for the entertainment as much as for the opportunity to purchase items at bargain prices.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
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| Cargo on Shore after the 1899 Storm Carol Cronk Cole Collection, Outer Banks History Center |
I have addressed this issue in the past, but the information is worth repeating.
In the nineteenth century and early twentieth century the federal government appointed wreck masters in coastal communities. These individuals were empowered to take charge of cargo and other goods thrown on shore after a shipwreck. Of course, for generations Ocracokers and others on the isolated Outer Bankers were accustomed to salvaging whatever they could before the sea reclaimed it.
Once wreck masters were appointed, their task was to contact the shipping agent who arranged for a vendue, or auction. The vendue (an old French word) was the occasion for much excitement in coastal areas. Residents and visitors would gather around for the entertainment as much as for the opportunity to purchase items at bargain prices.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
Friday, February 23, 2018
Slavery
On Tuesday, February 13, 2018, I wrote, "[I]n 1840 more than 1400 sailing ships were recorded as having passed through Ocracoke Inlet." A reader left this comment: "With all those ships making ports of call somebody-- slaves? had to unload them, right?"
Although there was a slave population on Ocracoke (Federal Census records for Ocracoke show that the island’s slave population hovered between 16 and 156 individuals from 1790 to 1860), most of the loading and unloading of ships took place on Shell Castle, a small shell island between Ocracoke and Portsmouth. Shell Castle was developed by entrepreneurs John Blount (he owned 74 slaves) and John Wallace in 1789. In 1810, 22 slaves were living on Shell Castle Island. They worked as clerks, stevedores, laborers, sailors, fishermen, and domestics.
You can read more about slavery on Ocracoke here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/slavery-on-ocracoke/.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
Although there was a slave population on Ocracoke (Federal Census records for Ocracoke show that the island’s slave population hovered between 16 and 156 individuals from 1790 to 1860), most of the loading and unloading of ships took place on Shell Castle, a small shell island between Ocracoke and Portsmouth. Shell Castle was developed by entrepreneurs John Blount (he owned 74 slaves) and John Wallace in 1789. In 1810, 22 slaves were living on Shell Castle Island. They worked as clerks, stevedores, laborers, sailors, fishermen, and domestics.
You can read more about slavery on Ocracoke here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/slavery-on-ocracoke/.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Quaintest Town in America
I recently discovered a short 1923 newspaper article about Ocracoke titled "Quaintest Town in America on a N.C. Island."
The article provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. I have re-published it as our latest Ocracoke Newsletter. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/.
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| Island Scene from Digby the Only Dog, 1955 |
The article provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. I have re-published it as our latest Ocracoke Newsletter. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/.
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Spring has Sprung!
Here is the photo many of our readers have been waiting for!!
It is sunny, and around 70 degrees. Perfect for a bike ride through the village or a stroll on the beach.
Unfortunately, Village Craftsmen is not yet open for the season. We are hoping to open mid-March...in just a few weeks.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
It is sunny, and around 70 degrees. Perfect for a bike ride through the village or a stroll on the beach.
Unfortunately, Village Craftsmen is not yet open for the season. We are hoping to open mid-March...in just a few weeks.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
George F. Phillips
Yesterday I shared an article about Capt. Zora Gaskins. It was dated February 18, 1910. Almost one month later this article appeared with the good news:
"Friday, March 17, 1910
"CAPT. Z.B. GASKINS ARRIVED IN NEW YORK - New York, March 14.
"Capt. Z.B. Gaskins and his crew of 5 men of the wrecked schooner George F. Phillips, arrived today from Hamburg, Germany on the Steamer Amerika and told the story of a struggle with the waves in which they all but lost their lives.
"The Phillips left Baltimore on January 23rd for Wilmington, N.C. with a cargo of phosphate rock. Nothing was heard of the schooner for several weeks and it was believed she had gone down with all on board. The first word that the men had been saved came from the Spanish steamer Aizkarai Mendi, which was passing.
"Captain Gaskins said today that the schooner on clearing the capes of the Chesapeake was headed by west winds when the weather became so rough that the vessel labored heavily. After 2 days of severe weather the schooner sprung a leak. The pumps were worked with little avail, the water in the well increasing to such an extent that the captain saw that his vessel was doomed. A flare was burned and it was seen by the Aizkarai Mendi. The steamer reached the schooner barely in time to save the men who left everything behind.
"The Mendi, which was bound from Brunswick, Ga. for Hamburg took the rescued men on to Hamburg landing them there February 26. The United States consul at Hamburg sent them here on the Amerika.
This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is about Old Christmas in Rodanthe. You can read it here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/old-christmas-rodanthe/.
"Friday, March 17, 1910
"CAPT. Z.B. GASKINS ARRIVED IN NEW YORK - New York, March 14.
"Capt. Z.B. Gaskins and his crew of 5 men of the wrecked schooner George F. Phillips, arrived today from Hamburg, Germany on the Steamer Amerika and told the story of a struggle with the waves in which they all but lost their lives.
"The Phillips left Baltimore on January 23rd for Wilmington, N.C. with a cargo of phosphate rock. Nothing was heard of the schooner for several weeks and it was believed she had gone down with all on board. The first word that the men had been saved came from the Spanish steamer Aizkarai Mendi, which was passing.
"Captain Gaskins said today that the schooner on clearing the capes of the Chesapeake was headed by west winds when the weather became so rough that the vessel labored heavily. After 2 days of severe weather the schooner sprung a leak. The pumps were worked with little avail, the water in the well increasing to such an extent that the captain saw that his vessel was doomed. A flare was burned and it was seen by the Aizkarai Mendi. The steamer reached the schooner barely in time to save the men who left everything behind.
"The Mendi, which was bound from Brunswick, Ga. for Hamburg took the rescued men on to Hamburg landing them there February 26. The United States consul at Hamburg sent them here on the Amerika.
This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is about Old Christmas in Rodanthe. You can read it here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/old-christmas-rodanthe/.
Monday, February 19, 2018
Capt. Zora Gaskins
The following article appeared in The Tar Heel (Elizabeth City), Friday, February 18, 1910:
"NOTHING HEARD YET OF CAPTAIN GASKINS - Great uneasiness is experienced by the family of Captain Zora Gakins at his prolonged delay in reaching Wilmington, NC from Baltimore with the schooner George I. Phillips, laden with fertilizer.
"Captain Gaskins cleared 3 weeks ago, and since the date of his clearance nothing has been seen or heard of him or his vessel. It was reported several days ago that his vessel was sighted burning at seas, but this report was an error, since the burning vessel proved to be the J.S. Hopkins, whose crew was rescued by a Danish ship.
"Shipbrokers in Baltimore are of the opinion that Captain Gaskins has been blown offshore by the heavy winds and will eventually arrive in port safe and sound. They express no uneasiness at his long delay in arriving at his destination. Captain Gaskins' friends at Hatteras feel confident that he will eventually show up as his vessel is an able one and Captain Gaskins is an experienced seaman. A number of his friends in this city do not feel so hopeful of his safety and they greatly fear that the captain and his crew are lost."
When I first read this article I wondered if I would ever discover what happened to Capt. Gaskins, his crew, and their vessel. Look for a follow-up post tomorrow.
This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is about Old Christmas in Rodanthe. You can read it here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/old-christmas-rodanthe/.
"NOTHING HEARD YET OF CAPTAIN GASKINS - Great uneasiness is experienced by the family of Captain Zora Gakins at his prolonged delay in reaching Wilmington, NC from Baltimore with the schooner George I. Phillips, laden with fertilizer.
"Captain Gaskins cleared 3 weeks ago, and since the date of his clearance nothing has been seen or heard of him or his vessel. It was reported several days ago that his vessel was sighted burning at seas, but this report was an error, since the burning vessel proved to be the J.S. Hopkins, whose crew was rescued by a Danish ship.
"Shipbrokers in Baltimore are of the opinion that Captain Gaskins has been blown offshore by the heavy winds and will eventually arrive in port safe and sound. They express no uneasiness at his long delay in arriving at his destination. Captain Gaskins' friends at Hatteras feel confident that he will eventually show up as his vessel is an able one and Captain Gaskins is an experienced seaman. A number of his friends in this city do not feel so hopeful of his safety and they greatly fear that the captain and his crew are lost."
When I first read this article I wondered if I would ever discover what happened to Capt. Gaskins, his crew, and their vessel. Look for a follow-up post tomorrow.
This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is about Old Christmas in Rodanthe. You can read it here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/old-christmas-rodanthe/.
Friday, February 16, 2018
Tourism
Modern tourism on Ocracoke Island is a consequence of several factors:
In the nineteenth century well-to-do North Carolinians ventured to Ocracoke aboard steamships. They stayed at the large Victorian hotel in the village.
After the hotel burned down in 1900 hunters and anglers continued to visit Ocracoke Island, especially in the fall and winter months. Eventually many of them brought their families to the island in the summer. By the mid-twentieth century a tourist economy was well on its way to becoming the predominant economic force on Ocracoke.
This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is about Old Christmas in Rodanthe. You can read it here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/old-christmas-rodanthe/.
- Electrification of Ocracoke Village in 1938
- Paving of the first roads in 1942, then again in the early 1950s
- Establishment of ferry service in 1950
- Various other developments including telephone service, a municipal water system, and internet access.
In the nineteenth century well-to-do North Carolinians ventured to Ocracoke aboard steamships. They stayed at the large Victorian hotel in the village.
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| The Ponzer, or Ponder, Hotel ca. 1890 |
After the hotel burned down in 1900 hunters and anglers continued to visit Ocracoke Island, especially in the fall and winter months. Eventually many of them brought their families to the island in the summer. By the mid-twentieth century a tourist economy was well on its way to becoming the predominant economic force on Ocracoke.
This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is about Old Christmas in Rodanthe. You can read it here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/old-christmas-rodanthe/.
Thursday, February 15, 2018
Life Saving
For the last several days I have been writing about island occupations (inlet pilots, mariners, and fishermen). Another prominent occupation for Ocracoke men was surfman in the United States Life-Saving Service.
The Life-Saving Service was officially established in 1871. As a section of the Department of Treasury the USLSS exclusively targeted the systematic rescue of shipwreck victims. The first establishment of the Life-Saving Service occurred in North Carolina in 1874 when seven stations were built on the northern barrier islands.
The first station was built on Ocracoke Island, near Hatteras Inlet, in 1883. Capt. James Howard was the keeper.
The original crew consisted of six surfmen who took turns scanning the ocean from the station's cupola during daylight hours, and patrolling the beach on foot during the night. Eventually, because of the great distance on Ocracoke, surfmen were permitted to patrol on horseback.
Earl O'Neal lists the following surfmen who were serving in 1900 (for more information see http://www.ncgenweb.us/hyde/LIFESAVE.HTM):
Over the years, the brave men of the Ocracoke Life-Saving Service saved the lives of many seafarers, sometimes in dramatic and life-threatening conditions. To read more click here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/lifesaving-ocracoke-island/.
This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is about Old Christmas in Rodanthe. You can read it here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/old-christmas-rodanthe/.
The Life-Saving Service was officially established in 1871. As a section of the Department of Treasury the USLSS exclusively targeted the systematic rescue of shipwreck victims. The first establishment of the Life-Saving Service occurred in North Carolina in 1874 when seven stations were built on the northern barrier islands.
The first station was built on Ocracoke Island, near Hatteras Inlet, in 1883. Capt. James Howard was the keeper.
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| Hatteras Inlet USLSS, Ocracoke |
The original crew consisted of six surfmen who took turns scanning the ocean from the station's cupola during daylight hours, and patrolling the beach on foot during the night. Eventually, because of the great distance on Ocracoke, surfmen were permitted to patrol on horseback.
Earl O'Neal lists the following surfmen who were serving in 1900 (for more information see http://www.ncgenweb.us/hyde/LIFESAVE.HTM):
- George Lafayette Fulcher, Jr.- B. 04-19-1844 D. 09-30-1908
- George Lafayette Fulcher III - B. 1871 D. Unknown
- Robert W. Gaskill - B. 12-14-1846 D. 11-09-1918
- James Wheeler Howard Sr. - B. 12-04-1874 D. 11-02-1940
- Charlie S. McWilliams - B. 1871 D. Unknown (He became Portsmouth Island Station Keeper on October 8, 1903.)
- George W. Simpson Sr. - B. 12-08-1842 D. 07-25-1912 James Hatton Wahab - B. 01-31-1861 D. 08-08-1913 David Williams - B. 03-27-1858 D. 04-05-1938
Over the years, the brave men of the Ocracoke Life-Saving Service saved the lives of many seafarers, sometimes in dramatic and life-threatening conditions. To read more click here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/lifesaving-ocracoke-island/.
This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is about Old Christmas in Rodanthe. You can read it here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/old-christmas-rodanthe/.
Wednesday, February 14, 2018
Fishing
Visitors to the Outer Banks (and even residents) often refer to Ocracoke as a "traditional fishing village." Surprisingly, this was not generally true for the first 150 years of the island's settlement. Our posts for the last two days explored the island's primary early occupations, piloting and seafaring.
Following are the number of fishermen listed in the census records on Ocracoke for the years 1850 - 1880:
But what accounts for the increase in fishermen in 1870 and 1880? The short answer is oysters. In 1858 the North Carolina state assembly, responding to an increase in harvesting oysters on a commercial level, passed a law establishing a procedure to create private oyster beds in coastal Carolina waters. Oyster harvesting became such an important economic enterprise in Pamlico Sound that it led to what became known as the 1890 "Ocracoke Oyster War" (see our account here).
The number of watermen remained steady for several decades. Census records for 1890 have not survived, but 35 fishermen are listed in the 1900 census. Again, harvesting shellfish accounts for this number. In 1897 James Harvey Doxsee moved his commercial clam canning operation from New York to Ocracoke Island. Local watermen were now harvesting clams.
In 1938 Ocracoke village was electrified, and an ice plant was established. At about the same time islanders began converting their sail skiffs to gas boats. Commercial fishing blossomed. Today Ocracoke is home to two fish houses and several dozen full- or part-time commercial fishermen and fisherwomen.
This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is about Old Christmas in Rodanthe. You can read it here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/old-christmas-rodanthe/.
Following are the number of fishermen listed in the census records on Ocracoke for the years 1850 - 1880:
- 1850............5 fishermen living on Ocracoke
- 1860............1 fisherman living on Ocracoke
- 1870..........16 fishermen living on Ocracoke
- 1880..........32 fishermen living on Ocracoke
But what accounts for the increase in fishermen in 1870 and 1880? The short answer is oysters. In 1858 the North Carolina state assembly, responding to an increase in harvesting oysters on a commercial level, passed a law establishing a procedure to create private oyster beds in coastal Carolina waters. Oyster harvesting became such an important economic enterprise in Pamlico Sound that it led to what became known as the 1890 "Ocracoke Oyster War" (see our account here).
The number of watermen remained steady for several decades. Census records for 1890 have not survived, but 35 fishermen are listed in the 1900 census. Again, harvesting shellfish accounts for this number. In 1897 James Harvey Doxsee moved his commercial clam canning operation from New York to Ocracoke Island. Local watermen were now harvesting clams.
In 1938 Ocracoke village was electrified, and an ice plant was established. At about the same time islanders began converting their sail skiffs to gas boats. Commercial fishing blossomed. Today Ocracoke is home to two fish houses and several dozen full- or part-time commercial fishermen and fisherwomen.
This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is about Old Christmas in Rodanthe. You can read it here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/old-christmas-rodanthe/.
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
Seafaring
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries seafaring was an enticement for young island men. For many years square-rigged sailing vessels carried trade goods from England to the North Carolina mainland, and coastal schooners plied the waters between Nova Scotia and the West Indies, often stopping at Ocracoke. In 1840 more than 1400 sailing ships were recorded as having passed through Ocracoke Inlet. Several schooners were even built on Ocracoke. It is not surprising that a number of islanders shipped out to sail before the mast.
After Hatteras Inlet opened in 1846, almost all of Ocracoke's inlet pilots eventually moved there (see yesterday's post). The men who remained on Ocracoke generally followed the seafaring tradition. The following table, culled from census records, reveals the growing role seafaring played in island history:
This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is about Old Christmas in Rodanthe. You can read it here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/old-christmas-rodanthe/.
After Hatteras Inlet opened in 1846, almost all of Ocracoke's inlet pilots eventually moved there (see yesterday's post). The men who remained on Ocracoke generally followed the seafaring tradition. The following table, culled from census records, reveals the growing role seafaring played in island history:
- 1850..........10 mariners listed as living on Ocracoke
- 1860..........18 mariners listed as living on Ocracoke
- 1870..........21 mariners listed as living on Ocracoke
- 1880..........66 mariners listed as living on Ocracoke
This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is about Old Christmas in Rodanthe. You can read it here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/old-christmas-rodanthe/.
Monday, February 12, 2018
Piloting
For most of Ocracoke's history, trade and commerce were the driving economic forces that shaped its inhabitants. In 1715 the North Carolina General Assembly passed an act to settle pilots on Ocracoke Island. Inlet pilots, individuals who knew the local waters, were necessary to help ship captains, who were carrying trade goods between mainland North Carolina and England and other colonies, navigate the often treacherous inlet between Ocracoke and Portsmouth.
In 1795 Jonathan Price produced a detailed map of Occacock (Ocracoke) Inlet, accompanied by a description of the area. Referring to the village and its surroundings, Price wrote, “Occacock...is three miles [in length], and its breadth two and one half. Small live oak and cedar grow abundantly over it, and it contains several swamps and rich marshes, which might be cultivated to great advantage; but its inhabitants, depending on another element for their support, suffer the earth to remain in its natural state. They are all pilots; and their number of head of families is about thirty. [my emphasis]”
In 1846 a violent hurricane opened Oregon Inlet and Hatteras Inlet. As it turned out, Hatteras Inlet was more navigable than Ocracoke Inlet, and ship traffic quickly moved there. The pilots soon followed.
Census records do not list occupations until 1850, but a conservative estimate is that 35 - 50 pilots were living on Ocracoke before Hatteras Inlet opened. The following table shows clearly how times changed during the next decades:
This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is about Old Christmas in Rodanthe. You can read it here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/old-christmas-rodanthe/.
In 1795 Jonathan Price produced a detailed map of Occacock (Ocracoke) Inlet, accompanied by a description of the area. Referring to the village and its surroundings, Price wrote, “Occacock...is three miles [in length], and its breadth two and one half. Small live oak and cedar grow abundantly over it, and it contains several swamps and rich marshes, which might be cultivated to great advantage; but its inhabitants, depending on another element for their support, suffer the earth to remain in its natural state. They are all pilots; and their number of head of families is about thirty. [my emphasis]”
In 1846 a violent hurricane opened Oregon Inlet and Hatteras Inlet. As it turned out, Hatteras Inlet was more navigable than Ocracoke Inlet, and ship traffic quickly moved there. The pilots soon followed.
Census records do not list occupations until 1850, but a conservative estimate is that 35 - 50 pilots were living on Ocracoke before Hatteras Inlet opened. The following table shows clearly how times changed during the next decades:
- 1850 (4 years after Hatteras Inlet opened)........27 pilots are living on Ocracoke
- 1860.........................................................................13 pilots are living on Ocracoke
- 1870...........................................................................4 pilots are living on Ocracoke
- 1880...........................................................................1 pilot is living on Ocracoke
This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is about Old Christmas in Rodanthe. You can read it here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/old-christmas-rodanthe/.
Friday, February 09, 2018
Capt. Joseph Burrus
Yesterday I wrote about the big freeze of 1917-1918, and Capt. Joseph Burrus. Capt. Burrus, a prominent island resident, died in 1951. This obituary ran in the Coastland Times:
Capt. Joseph Burrus
Ocracoke – Capt. Joseph Merritt Burrus, veteran lighthouse keeper, age 76, died Tuesday [July 17, 1951] at his home here. Funeral service was held Friday morning with Rev. W. Y. Stewart officiating and with the local Coast Guard as pall bearers.
Capt. Burrus was a native of Hatteras, son of a sea captain. He enlisted in the lighthouse service in his early twenties and served forty-five years in North Carolina or Virginia lighthouses, among them Tangier Island, Thimble Shoals, Cape Lookout, Croatan, Oliver’s Reef, Bluff Shoals, and Ocracoke He was well known to everyone during the last sixteen years of his service at the historic Ocracoke lighthouse, retiring from duty here in 1947.
He is survived by his wife, Elanor Oden Burrus, one son, Oscar Burrus of Norfolk, six daughters, Mrs. C. L. Thorpe of Hawthorne, California, Mrs. Victor Grigas of Worcester, Mass., Mrs. Raymond Beasley of Portsmouth, Va., Mrs. Monford Garrish, Mrs. Sybil Simpson, Mrs. Herman Spencer, all of Ocracoke, and fourteen grandchildren.
This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is about Old Christmas in Rodanthe. You can read it here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/old-christmas-rodanthe/.
Capt. Joseph Burrus
Ocracoke – Capt. Joseph Merritt Burrus, veteran lighthouse keeper, age 76, died Tuesday [July 17, 1951] at his home here. Funeral service was held Friday morning with Rev. W. Y. Stewart officiating and with the local Coast Guard as pall bearers.
Capt. Burrus was a native of Hatteras, son of a sea captain. He enlisted in the lighthouse service in his early twenties and served forty-five years in North Carolina or Virginia lighthouses, among them Tangier Island, Thimble Shoals, Cape Lookout, Croatan, Oliver’s Reef, Bluff Shoals, and Ocracoke He was well known to everyone during the last sixteen years of his service at the historic Ocracoke lighthouse, retiring from duty here in 1947.
He is survived by his wife, Elanor Oden Burrus, one son, Oscar Burrus of Norfolk, six daughters, Mrs. C. L. Thorpe of Hawthorne, California, Mrs. Victor Grigas of Worcester, Mass., Mrs. Raymond Beasley of Portsmouth, Va., Mrs. Monford Garrish, Mrs. Sybil Simpson, Mrs. Herman Spencer, all of Ocracoke, and fourteen grandchildren.
This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is about Old Christmas in Rodanthe. You can read it here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/old-christmas-rodanthe/.
Thursday, February 08, 2018
A Cold Winter
The bitter cold of this winter brings to mind stories of the
severe winter of one hundred years ago. At that time much of Pamlico Sound was frozen
solid. Following is a reprint of a blog post I wrote several years ago.
In 1917-118 Capt. Joe Burrus (he built the building that is now "Oscar's House B & B" on NC 12) was stationed on the screw-pile lighthouse at Bluff Shoal, about seven and one half miles from Ocracoke. According to old timers the cold lasted so long that for several weeks no supply boats could reach the light station on Bluff Shoal.
Eventually Captain Joe ventured out onto the ice and walked quite a distance. Whether he was attempting to walk all the way to dry land, or just trying to relieve the boredom, is uncertain. At any rate he turned back and remained at the lighthouse until the weather broke and food and supplies were finally delivered to him.
When the supply boat finally made contact with Captain Joe the seaman reported that the lighthouse keeper had run out of food. Of much more concern to Captain Burrus, however, was the fact that he had used up his supply of chewing tobacco. Maybe that's what he was after when he stepped out onto the ice that cold winter day. We’re told he had resorted to chewing boat caulking before the supply boat arrived.
For more stories of the Big Freeze of 1917-1918 follow this link to a superb story in Our State magazine by Bryan Mims: http://www.ourstate.com/big-freeze/#.UszEQT2FAh0.facebook
This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is about Old Christmas in Rodanthe. You can read it here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/old-christmas-rodanthe/.
In 1917-118 Capt. Joe Burrus (he built the building that is now "Oscar's House B & B" on NC 12) was stationed on the screw-pile lighthouse at Bluff Shoal, about seven and one half miles from Ocracoke. According to old timers the cold lasted so long that for several weeks no supply boats could reach the light station on Bluff Shoal.
Eventually Captain Joe ventured out onto the ice and walked quite a distance. Whether he was attempting to walk all the way to dry land, or just trying to relieve the boredom, is uncertain. At any rate he turned back and remained at the lighthouse until the weather broke and food and supplies were finally delivered to him.
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| Capt. Joe Burrus |
When the supply boat finally made contact with Captain Joe the seaman reported that the lighthouse keeper had run out of food. Of much more concern to Captain Burrus, however, was the fact that he had used up his supply of chewing tobacco. Maybe that's what he was after when he stepped out onto the ice that cold winter day. We’re told he had resorted to chewing boat caulking before the supply boat arrived.
For more stories of the Big Freeze of 1917-1918 follow this link to a superb story in Our State magazine by Bryan Mims: http://www.ourstate.com/big-freeze/#.UszEQT2FAh0.facebook
This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is about Old Christmas in Rodanthe. You can read it here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/old-christmas-rodanthe/.
Wednesday, February 07, 2018
Original Lighthouses
Visitors to the Outer Banks may not realize that the iconic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and the picturesque Ocracoke Lighthouse are not the original beacons.
On July 10, 1794, Congress appropriated $44,000 "for erecting a lighthouse on the head land of Cape Hatteras...." The original Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was constructed in 1802. It was made of unpainted sandstone, and stood 112 feet above sea level.
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| Engraving in NC State Archives |
In 1868 Congress appropriated $80,000 to build the current tower, which was lit in 1871. The new lighthouse, with its black and white candy-stripe pattern, stands 200 feet above the sea, and is the tallest brick lighthouse in the world. The original structure was demolished in 1872.
The 1794 legislation also called for "...a lighted beacon on Shell Castle Island, in the harbor of Ocracoke in the State of North Carolina."
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| Image from early 1800s Ceramic Pitcher |
In 1798 a 55' tall wooden pyramid-shaped tower, covered with shingles, was built on "Shell Castle Rock," a 25 acre island of oyster shells just inside Ocracoke Inlet. At the time this was considered the "harbor of Ocracock" since "Cockle Creek" [later renamed "Silver Lake" after it was dredged] was merely a wide, shallow tidal creek. Ocracoke's current lighthouse was built in 1823, and is the oldest operating lighthouse in North Carolina.
This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is about Old Christmas in Rodanthe. You can read it here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/old-christmas-rodanthe/.
Tuesday, February 06, 2018
Digby the Only Dog
[This is a reprint of a 2011 post.]
If you've been to Ocracoke you probably know that there are many cats on the island. We also have quite a few dogs, but half a century ago dogs were rare on Ocracoke.
I remember my Aunt Tressie expressing her fear and concern when we brought our dog, Ginger, to the island. Aunt Tressie, like most islanders had free-range chickens, and she was worried that Ginger would chase and kill them. Keep in mind that most people's food came from the sound, their gardens, and their chickens. They could not afford to lose their primary source of meat...so few people had dogs.
In 1955 Ruth & Latrobe Carroll, from Asheville, NC, wrote and illustrated a wonderful book about Ocracoke. Digby the Only Dog begins, "Once there was an island. And on that island there were ponies and cattle and ducks and chickens and geese and people and many many many cats. But there was only one dog. His name was Digby."
The illustrations show Howard Street, the docks, mailboat, Methodist church, schoolhouse, lighthouse, and various homes. Unfortunately, Digby is out of print. But here are photos of the front and back covers. Maybe you will find a copy one day at a yard sale. If so, buy it and treasure it. You won't be disappointed.
This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is about Old Christmas in Rodanthe. You can read it here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/old-christmas-rodanthe/.
If you've been to Ocracoke you probably know that there are many cats on the island. We also have quite a few dogs, but half a century ago dogs were rare on Ocracoke.
I remember my Aunt Tressie expressing her fear and concern when we brought our dog, Ginger, to the island. Aunt Tressie, like most islanders had free-range chickens, and she was worried that Ginger would chase and kill them. Keep in mind that most people's food came from the sound, their gardens, and their chickens. They could not afford to lose their primary source of meat...so few people had dogs.
In 1955 Ruth & Latrobe Carroll, from Asheville, NC, wrote and illustrated a wonderful book about Ocracoke. Digby the Only Dog begins, "Once there was an island. And on that island there were ponies and cattle and ducks and chickens and geese and people and many many many cats. But there was only one dog. His name was Digby."
The illustrations show Howard Street, the docks, mailboat, Methodist church, schoolhouse, lighthouse, and various homes. Unfortunately, Digby is out of print. But here are photos of the front and back covers. Maybe you will find a copy one day at a yard sale. If so, buy it and treasure it. You won't be disappointed.
This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is about Old Christmas in Rodanthe. You can read it here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/old-christmas-rodanthe/.
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