Rodanthe in Dare County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Mirlo Rescue

Photographed by Sean C Bath, July 16, 2023

1. Mirlo Rescue Marker

Inscription. On the 16th of AUGUST, 1918, the British Tanker MIRLO was sunk by a German U-boat 5 miles offshore. Oil and gas poured into the sea and caught fire, creating a floating inferno. In a legendary rescue, the surfmen of nearby CHICAMACOMICO Lifesaving Station entered dangerous rough seas and pulled 6 men from a capsized lifeboat in the middle of the flames. In total, 42 men were rescued. For their bravery, six surfmen were awarded the Grand Cross of the American CROSS OF HONOR.

Erected 2018 by Mirlo Beach Homeowners Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, World I • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is August 16, 1918.

Location. 35° 36.189′ N, 75° 27.946′ W. Marker is in Rodanthe, North Carolina, in Dare County. It is on Cross of Honor Way, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 23072 Cross of Honor Way, Rodanthe NC 27968, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain and on the Outer Banks.

It is also in the American South,

specifically

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in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station (approx. half a mile away); Welcome to Rodanthe... (approx. half a mile away); The Chicamacomico Races / Exodus from Chicamacomico (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named "Mirlo" Rescue (approx. half a mile away); Welcome to Waves… (approx. 2.3 miles away); Welcome to Salvo… (approx. 4 miles away); A Deep-Rooted Community (approx. 4.8 miles away); Charles Kuralt Trail (approx. 8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rodanthe.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Fanny (was approx. 4.8 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Mirlo Rescue Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean C Bath, July 16, 2023

2. Mirlo Rescue Marker in context

Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2023, by Sean C Bath of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 337 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 28, 2023, by Sean C Bath of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.