Highlands in Monmouth County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Spermaceti Cove Lifeboat Station
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2009
1. Spermaceti Cove Lifeboat Station Marker
In 1848, eight lifeboat stations were built along the New Jersey coast between Sandy Hook and Little Egg Harbor. You are looking at the only surviving structure of the original eight. It was moved here from its Sandy Hook location in 1954 to be preserved as part of the Twin Lights Historic Site.
Lifeboat stations were placed on the beach because the rescue equipment was too heavy and awkward to be hauled long distances. A keeper and volunteers staffed the buildings to provide rescue services to shipwreck victims.
In 1872, this original lifeboat station building was replaced with a larger one and, as the United States Life Saving Service grew into a professional organization, a third and final building was constructed in 1894. The third building is now preserved by the National Park Service and serves as the Sandy Hook National Park Visitor Center.
Erected by NJ Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Parks & Forestry.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 40° 23.794′ N, 73° 59.159′ W. Marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. The Navesink Light Station (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Navesink Light Station (a few steps from this marker); Spermaceti Cove Lifesaving Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Powerhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Spermaceti Cove Life Saving Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Electric Power Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Marconi at Twin Lights (within shouting distance of this marker); Telegraph and Radar at Twin Lights (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Highlands.
More about this marker. The bottom left of the marker contains a photograph of the “Interior of Spermaceti Cove Lifeboat Station in 1947. Courtesy of the National Geographic Society.” Next to this is a photograph of the “Spermaceti Cove Lifeboat Station, Sandy Hook c. 1940. Courtesy of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.” The right side of the marker features a picture of “The Lifesaving Service in action at Sandy Hook”. It has a caption of “This 1877
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2009
2. Markers at Twin Lights Historic Site
Both markers can be seen in this photo.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker.
Also see . . . Navesink Lighthouse. Lighthouse Friends website entry (Submitted on April 4, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2009
3. Twin Lights Markers
Several markers are found at this location. The "Spermaceti Cove Lifeboat Station" marker is to the extreme left in the photo.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2009
4. Spermaceti Cove Station No. 2
This structure, now the visitor center at Sandy Hook, served as the replacement for the Spermaceti Cove Lifeboat Station now found at the Twin Lights Historic Site.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2009
5. Twin Lights Historic Site
The Spermaceti Cove Lifeboat Station Markers are located in the Twin Lights Historic Site.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 21, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,119 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 21, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
