Spermaceti Cove Life Saving Station

Spermaceti Cove Life Saving Station. Twin Lights Historic Site. , In 1849, 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 Sandy Hook in 1956., Boathouses were place on beaches to hold rescue equipment too heavy and awkward to be hauled long distances. During the early years, a station keeper and volunteers used these stations to provide rescue services to shipwreck victims., In 1872 and 1894, larger life saving stations were built on Sandy Hook and used by professional lifesavers., The original station was used sporadically as a stable for the keeper's horse and for storage. Significant repairs were made by the Coast Guard in 1930 when it was converted to a museum. In July of 1956, it was moved here to be preserved as part of the new Twin Lights Museum. The 1894 station still remains and is now part of the Gateway National Recreation Area., [caption:] , The Lifesaving Service in action at Sandy Hook , This 1877 Harper's Weekly illustration shows the different methods of rescue used to save shipwreck victims. The surfman in the center picture is holding a flare to signal the Life Saving Station that he had discovered a wreck while on patrol. Pictured around him are the surfmen launching a rescue boat, the beach apparatus cart being pulled to the shipwreck location, a victim being hauled to safety in a breeches buoy, and the line-throwing cannon being fired. The cannon was used to shoot lines out to the distressed ship, allowing the buoy or Life Car to be sent back and forth., In 1915, the Life Saving Service merged with the United States Revenue Cutter Service to form the United States Coast Guard.