{"id":1679,"date":"2020-02-13T12:17:25","date_gmt":"2020-02-13T17:17:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nelights.com\/blog\/?p=1679"},"modified":"2025-03-06T11:29:45","modified_gmt":"2025-03-06T16:29:45","slug":"lighthouse-history-surfmen-of-lifesaving-stations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nelights.com\/blog\/lighthouse-history-surfmen-of-lifesaving-stations\/","title":{"rendered":"Lighthouse History: Surfmen of Lifesaving Stations"},"content":{"rendered":"

Surfmen of the Life-Saving Stations<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Wood<\/a>

Wood Island (Jerry’s Point) Life-Saving Station in Kittery, Maine, before restoration.<\/p><\/div>\n

Life-Saving stations, also called surf stations, were built five to ten miles apart from a nearby lighthouse. Where the lighthouse keepers and their assistants were only allowed to attempt rescues near the proximity of the lighthouse, lifesaving stations covered a much more vast area. They could assist a more significant number of distressed survivors on a wreck a distance from the shore.<\/p>\n

Life-saving station keepers were usually professional fishermen or were directly involved in a particular maritime occupation that had provided them with a vast knowledge of the local area and terrain. Their crew consisted of experienced local mariners and fishermen, mostly volunteers, to assist in training and rescue efforts when the New England weather was the most dangerous from Autumn through Spring.<\/p>\n

\"Launching<\/a>

Painting by Sherman Groenke, Courtesy of Jill Park and the US Coast Guard<\/p><\/div>\n

These men were called \u201csurfmen\u201d as they got their name from launching their heavy lifeboats into the thunderous surf. They were also proudly called \u201csoldiers of the surf\u201d or \u201cstorm warriors.\u201d These surfmen completed many successful rescues because of the nearly daily training drills they performed using the equipment and rescue procedures. They would go on daily shore patrols over five miles from either side of the station to watch for stranded wrecks.<\/p>\n

\"Lyle<\/a>

Lyle Canon Used for Rescue Efforts.<\/p><\/div>\n

Surfmen had two means of rescuing people on board stranded vessels or near the shores. They used an extremely heavy lifeboat pulled on a cart, either by horse or the men themselves, to a site near the wreck where it could be safely launched into the surf along the shore. This lifeboat weighed nearly half a ton and was helpful in all weather. If a ship wrecked too close to shore to use the lifeboats safely, the surfmen would use a nearly 200-pound small cannon-like gun called a lyle gun, which, when fired, would send a line out to the wreck up to 800 yards. The stranded sailors would secure the line to the wreck, and then the surfmen would securely fasten the other end to a sturdy high post, boat, or rock along the shore.<\/p>\n

\"Breeches<\/a>

Breeches Buoy Used in Rescue Efforts.<\/p><\/div>\n

A surfman\u2019s daily routines consisted of drills using lifesaving equipment on the beach or rocks and shooting the lyle gun at a practice pole as if it were a ship\u2019s mast. In a perilous rescue attempt, if a lyle gun could not be used, the surfmen would have to resolve to wade waist-deep into the dangerous surf and use a heaving stick to get a line aboard the ship. One of their other pieces of equipment was a breeches buoy, which looked like a life preserver with canvas pants attached to catch the survivor so he or she could be towed ashore.<\/p>\n

The unofficial motto of the surfmen was that \u201cyou had to go out, but you did not have to come back.\u201d Many surfmen risked their lives to save shipwrecked victims, and some received Lifesaving Medals from the Government for performing their duties under extreme conditions or from the Humane Society itself. They were the most trained and experienced boaters to launch in all kinds of weather and perform their duties at significant risk to their lives.<\/p>\n

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<\/h3>\n

Learning About Lighthouses and Life-Saving Stations<\/span><\/h3>\n
\"Wood<\/a>

Wood Island Life-Saving Station Under Restoration<\/p><\/div>\n

Many of these stations are in disrepair or have been removed entirely over the years. Currently, Wood Island Life-Saving Station, also known as Jerry’s Point Life-Saving Station in the top image of this page, is under restoration in Kittery, Maine. To the left, you can see the current restoration process in effect. Visit this renovated historic building, which should be available to visitors in the summer of 2024.<\/p>\n

\"Maine<\/a>

Maine Lighthouse Museum Fresnel Lenses<\/p><\/div>\n

To see the tools used in rescue efforts, including all kinds of lighthouse items, fresnel lenses, with the largest collection of lighthouse artifacts and mementos, including exhibits that highlight stories of heroism while paying tribute to the United States Coast Guard and United States Life-\u00adSaving Services, visit the Maine Lighthouse Museum<\/a><\/strong> in Rockland.<\/p>\n

Enjoy,<\/p>\n

Allan Wood<\/p>\n

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