Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Ocracoke....

......but didn't know who to ask!

For a limited time I am offering to answer (if I can, or am willing!) your questions about the island. Surely, you've had questions but didn't know where to go to get answers. History, people, wildlife, politics, geology........ I won't always know the answers, of course, but I'll try to find out for you if I don't know.

Just post a comment with your question and I'll answer them in the order I receive them. If I get too many questions I'll just call a halt to it.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

A Very Practical Note

If you've sent us an email message in the last few days and are expecting a reply, please have patience. Our web site server (through whom we get our messages) has had technical difficulties and our messages have been cached.. We have not received any mail except internet orders (those we can access through a secure web site hosted by our shopping cart provider). Tech support assures us that all messages will be delivered soon.

Ocracoke has been breezy today, but there's been no rain since early morning. It is too windy to enjoy the beach, however, so I took my daily walk in the village with my daughter Amy and grandson Lachlan. Everyone agrees he is a cutie. Amy, David, and Lachlan are doing just great. And so is Opa.

Random Island News

Schools are mostly back in session now and the island is getting quieter. This afternoon I found a stretch of beach and didn't see a soul for the entire time I was there. I walked and swam and lay in the sun. The clouds were massive and as white as newly fallen snow. It was heaven!

No word yet about the search for the Civil War era submarine, Alligator. I believe the Navy research ship leaves soon. But we'll let you know if we hear any exciting news.

Tropical storms and hurricanes are in the news again. At this point it doesn't look like they'll be a threat to Ocracoke, but we're watching carefully. In the meanwhile we're just enjoying a gorgeous end of summer and looking forward to one of the best seasons of all, Fall.

Hunting for the Alligator

No, not the Florida kind. This Alligator is green and made of metal. The US Navy's very first submarine was launched May 1, 1862. It was 47' long and 4' 8" at the beam. Invented by Brutus de Villeroi, it first employed 22 crewmen with oars, but was later converted to a screw propeller for propulsion.

After several aborted missions the Aligator was bound for South Carolina to participate in the capture of Charleston harbor. On April 2, 1863, during a fierce storm off Cape Hatteras, the submarine, which was being towed by the USS Sumpter, was cut adrift to prevent the sinking of the Sumpter.

Early this week the US Navy's Office of Naval Research (on their 108' "Afloat Lab") docked in Silver Lake harbor. In conjunction with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration they have launched a search for the lost Alligator.

We've heard no word yet about the mission, but you can follow their progress here: http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/alligator.

Another Beautiful End-of-Summer Day

I love to go to the beach in late August, September, and early October. It's the best time for lots of reasons. The water is still delightfully warm, the beach isn't nearly as crowded (compared to so many other beaches, I guess it never is crowded), and as the air cools a little, it's not so hot, either. Today I found a "pool." The water was only about chest deep, but it was deep enough to swim. The waves were gentle, but fun. I swam, floated, dived under the waves, and just let the peacefulness sink in (no one was anywhere near me). The ocean is a great refresher and rejuvenator. There is no place like it.On a practical note -- I have published a couple of comments on the daily journal entry for August 21, 2004. I didn't have time to respond right away because there's been a lot going on for me lately. (My daughter, Amy, stopped working to care for her new baby, and my good friend, Lou Ann, stopped working to return to her teaching job, so guess who is filling in. Also, the old house rehabilitation project is moving right along, and, although I'm not pounding nails, it's still a lot to think about.). The comments are about Mike Piland, Ocracoke postmaster, and my writing style. You can read the comments here: http://villagecraftsmen.blogspot.com/2004/08/ocracoke-post-office.html

Sleeping Easier

Jim O'Brien and his crew have been doing a fantastic job this week rehabilitating my grandparents' home. For those of you who have been wondering about the progress of this project, you can read the latest news at http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/howardhome0804.htm.

Before the end of the work day today the rear roofs were structurally sound, sheathed, tarpapered, and covered with additional material to prevent leaks. Thunderstorms and rain squalls were threatening all afternoon.

Work should begin on the front roofs next week, and, if the weather cooperates, we're hoping to have all of the roofs shingled by the end of next week. It is a very exciting project, especially imagining the home full of life and love and family and friends.

Something's Got to Give

What gorgeous weather we've been having! After work today (I worked from 9 - 3:30) I headed directly to the beach. The tide was high and the waves and currents were strong, but the water was warm and inviting. I stayed about an hour, then came home to fix my supper. Afterwards I visited my old house to see what the carpenters had done for the day. Then I walked across the lane to see cousin Blanche. She entertained me for almost 2 hours about Ocracoke's old-time childhood games, storms, shipwrecks, and island history.

I'm back home again -- with dirty dishes to wash, laundry to do, emails to answer, bills to pay, floors to vacuum, and photos to upload to our web site. Maybe I'll just make a phone call to Lou Ann, instead, and then go to bed! Like Alonzo Howard used to say, "If work interferes with pleasure, give up work."

A Beautiful Day at the Beach

Unfortunately, I didn't make it to the beach today......but yesterday and the day before were just wonderful. There was a slight breeze, and it was warm. The sun was shining (at least in the afternoon) and the waves were gentle. No undertow and no rip currents. Just rolling waves and breakers made to slide under and come back up on the other side. It was even perfect for swimming. What more could I ask for? Well, it would have been ever so much nicer if Lou Ann were back on the island! She loves the ocean at least as much as I do. So I'll just appreciate this special place as much as possible until she comes back at another time.

The "Victoria S"

It's partly cloudy today with a light breeze. No signs of any storms and we're glad of that. The situation was similar 79 years ago to the day when the schooner "Victoria S" wrecked on Ocracoke beach (the same vessel that washed farther up the beach on this same date in 1933 during a fierce hurricane).

My father and grandfather saw this ship making peculiar maneuvers offshore the evening before. My grandfather speculated that the captain was just waiting until nightfall to "run her aground" for the insurance money. Sure enough the "Victoria S" wrecked that night.

1933 Hurricane

One of the worst storms to hit Ocracoke was on August 22 & 23, 1933. Strong northeast winds brought water knee deep into the village. The hull of the "Victoria S" (wrecked in 1925) washed up on the beach. Docks were swept away and cottages damaged. Most small boats in the harbor were sunk or "smashed up," and debris was scattered all over the island.

Ocracoke Post Office

The Post Office has long been at the center of community life on the island. In the first half of the 20th century, before ferries and paved roads, the mailboat was Ocracoke's primary link to the outside world. The trip across the sound took about 4 hours. Islanders would gather at the mailboat dock in late afternoon waiting for letters, packages, relatives, and news from the mainland. It was the perfect time to visit with neighbors, share stories, and hear what was going on around the village.

The first Post Office was established on Ocracoke on this date in 1840. William H. Howard was appointed postmaster. Today, a modern Post Office is located at the edge of town, not along the harbor as in years past. People come and go throughout the day and the pace is a bit quicker, but the Post Office, with its bulletin board full of notices, is still an important center for news and information.

117 Years Ago

Today the weather has been hot, but beautiful, with clear skies, unlike this date in 1887 when a "fresh gale" brought a "full rough tide" with "driving rain" and "fearful sea running over the beach." This was according to my great-grandfather's report from the US Life Saving Station at Hatteras Inlet.

As a result of the stormy weather, two schooners (the "Cherybin" & the "A.J. Marine") both wrecked at Hatteras Inlet on this date in 1887. Fortunately, no lives were lost or cargo damaged. Both boats were refloated relatively undamaged.

Display Problems

We're sorry about our journal's display problems. Apparently the "Blogger" folks who host the journal have made some internal changes that are incompatible with our custom design. We understand that they are working on trying to fix the problem. In the meanwhile the journal and all of our posts is still available, though just in black & white.

Portsmouth Island Trivia

Portsmouth village, just across Ocracoke Inlet, was at one time a thriving community. Census records indicate the following population figures:

1800........246
1810........387
1820........382
1830........411
1840........400
1850........377
1860........304
1870........341
1880........221

1955.........18
1970...........3
Today.........0

A Gorgeous Day!

Today has been sunny and clear with temperatures in the low 80's and a light breeze. A perfect day for working outdoors, or taking a stroll on the beach. The island is relatively quiet since many North Carolina schools are already in session. If you can get away, come on out to the island and enjoy our beautiful weather.

The August Storm of 1899

One of the worst storms to pummel Ocracoke Island was on August 16, 1899. Winds reached at least 120 miles per hour. I neglected to mention this yesterday because work on my grandparents' home overshadowed it. By the way, I will be posting photos of the old house rehabilitation on a fairly regular basis here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/howardhome0804.htm. There's not much to show yet, but I think work will be progressing rather quickly real soon.

Back to the 1899 storm......Islanders have a long tradition of teasing one another and laughing at each other's mistakes. An Ocracoker was heard to say years ago, "Now didn't that old August storm strike the island sometime in September?"

Finally

This morning as I was in my outdoor shower I heard the distinctive sounds of contractors and carpenters beginning work on the historic rehabilitation of my grandparents' home. I was elated to know they were actually starting the project after so many delays.

And immediately my elation was mixed with fear. Will everything go well? Will we be able to preserve as much of the house as we are hoping? How much will it cost? Will we have to contend with more hurricanes before it is completed?

And then I was saddened to remember that Lou Ann left yesterday to start another year of teaching in Indiana, and she was so hoping to see this project get underway. But I know she will be back for an off-season visit before too long. And in the days to come I will post a few photos as the recostruction project progresses.

A Practical Note

Although Ocracoke's state of emergency has been lifted and the island is again open to visitors, Village Craftsmen will remain closed today. We will reopen tomorrow, Monday, August 16, at 9:00 am.

All is well, and we hope to see you on the island soon.

State of Emergency Lifted

Hurricane Charley has come and gone with little effect on Ocracoke. Winds picked up later this afternoon, but it's calm now and we've had only a few sprinkles. No flooding at all. Following is the latest official notice from Hyde County officials.

HURRICANE CHARLEY NOTICE
August 14, 2004
STATE OF EMERGENCY LIFTED

HYDE COUNTY, NC: Effective 5:00 am, Sunday, August 15, the State of Emergency and mandatory evacuation procedures put into place prior to Hurricane Charley’s arrival will be lifted for both Mainland Hyde County and Ocracoke Island.

Ferry service to Ocracoke, which was discontinued as the storm approached, will resume on August 15. Travelers who are planning to visit the island are reminded that they should make reservations for both the Cedar Island (800-856-0343) and Swan Quarter(800-773-1094) ferries. The Hatteras ferry does not require reservations. The NC Ferry Division can be reached at 800-BY-FERRY or http://www.ncferry.org/

The Hyde County Chamber of Commerce can be reached at 888-493-3826. The latest information is also on-line at www.hydecounty.org

Good News for Ocracoke

As of now tropical storm Charley seems to have bypassed Ocracoke. The day has been gray and overcast but hardly a drop of rain has fallen and there is only a light breeze. We feel very thankful to have been spared this time, while also sad for the folks who bore the brunt of this powerful storm.

We have not yet heard any word about lifting the state of emergency.