August 29th, 2010
Indian River Life-Saving Station, Historic, South of Dewey Beach, North of the Indian River Inlet Bridge, Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation, Delaware Beaches
Before I even start with the actual post for my blog, and being that a blog is a person’s diary, I have to tell you that yesterday, Saturday, was the most beautiful day in the Delmarva Peninsula. The beach was awsome.
Three of us sat at the beach in Fenwick Island for hours. The amazing part of it was the varied topics of conversation. From catch up with the happenings in our own families to up to the last minute political thoughts. Dave, Debbie and I were non-stop talking, moving our chairs as the sun shifted.
We stopped for a minute and we all agreed how lucky we are to live where we live. Everything is pretty much accessible within minutes. Having the ocean, the bay and the marshes at our fingertips is priceless.
I am ready for my post now.
Last year when I wrote about the Historic Indian River Life-Saving Station I mentioned that up and down Coastal Highway I went, for so many years, not even giving this historic site a thought. Yes, I looked and kept on going.
It was not until I stopped to check it out that I realized that I have lived in this area so long and still don’t know a lot about it. This blog is giving me that opportunity. My friends say they have learned a lot, as well. They are nice, aren’t they?
The Indian River Life Saving Station was built in 1876, and is the only station in Delaware that is still standing in its original location.
Can you imagine? Each year, from September through April, 6 surfmen, as they were called, and a keeper lived at the station. They patrolled our desolate and dangerous Delaware beaches every night, all night long, looking for shipwrecks and warning other vessels of the imminient dangers along our coastline from 1876 until 1915.
Surfmen had to rely on barometers to predict the weather. A barometer is an instrument that measures atmospheric pressures.
The Historic Indian River Life-Saving Station is located on Route 1, 3 miles south of Dewey Beach, or one mile north of the Indian River Inlet Bridge.
The Station is part of the Delaware Seashore State Park and besides the museum, there is also a shop and it is one of the offices where you can purchase Delaware State Park permits. The telephone is 302-227-6991.
On this visit I decided to sit and view a video of the museum and its history. The cost for entering the museum is $4.00. There is an audio tour that will allow you to move about the museum at your own pace, using your cell phone. Otherwise, you can just walk it; it is very well marked.
The Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation restored the building in the late 1990’s. Then assumed resposibility for it in 2004.
The building appears much as it did in 1905. Apparently, when the Station was built, it was 400 feet closer to the ocean; later moved to its current location because of the battles with sand drifting and blowing around the station.
As I came in the first room I saw was what they called the Mess Room and the table, in those times, was always set. The Surfmen’s motto was “You have to go out, but you don’t have to come back”. With the table set, the surfmen knew there was a place waiting for them when they returned from the beach.
The pantry was simple. It also contained medicinal remedies like syrup of ipecac, castor oil and powder borax.
In the display, there were surfmen’s checks, patrol clocks and flares that would warn ships that they were too close to shore.
The U.S. flag flew over the station. This particular flag has 38 stars and was the offical flag of the U.S. from 1877 until 1890.
The surfboat located in this room dates from the 1930’s. There is another boat outside and very faintly it had the name of John N. Bowers, but I don’t have any info. on that one. The surfmen dragged the surfboat onto the beach and row to the shipwreck.
If you noticed on the picture the surfmen were wearing “cork vests”. These were the predecessors to the modern day “personal flotation devices”.
There was one keeper of the Station and the desk is similar to the one used by Washington Vickers, who was the keeper of this Station from 1883 until 1907.
The keeper of the Station was definitely, in charge, and responsible for rescues, leading drills and maintaining the daily log.
The flags were used for International Signal Code. Each flag represents a number or a letter. Showing different combination of flags allowed the surfmen to signal short messages to other stations or nearby ships.
There were stairs leading to the cupola but not accessible to the public. The surfmen stood watch 24 hours a day; the guard on duty was able to keep watch on the surfmen as they patrolled the beach.
The sleeping quarters were small and each of the men kept a small trunk for his personal belongings.
The Station is not big; it is a simple and beautiful building. It is worth visiting if you are in the area. If you live here, stop and take a look. It does not take long.
I could not help to notice a roster of those surfmen. Some of the prominent names in Sussex County were Burton, Cropper, Evans, Hazzard, Hickman, Hitchens, Lingo, Magee, Marvel, Massey, McCabe, Palmer, Quillen and many others. Their names are there and one might be your relative.
The Life Saving Station has the availability to be rented for events. For more information, please call Christine Gulbronson who is the Retail Sales and Events Coordinator. Tel. 302-227-6991. e-mail christine.gulbronson@state.de.us. You can also check the website www.destateparks.com.
Have a great day!! Another beautiful day in the Delmarva Peninsula…
Note: Information for my post was taken from the brochure of the Indian River Life-Saving Station.
Tags: Bethany Beach, Delaware, Delaware Beaches, Delaware surfmen, Dewey Beach, Historic Life Saving Station, Indian River Life Saving Station, Museum, Things to do at the beach, What to do at the beaches
