Middle Township in Stone Harbor in Cape May County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Life-Saving Service Rescue Boats
Two Basic Types
Photographed by Pete Skillman, May 18, 2024
1. Life-Saving Service Rescue Boats Marker
Surfboats
- Normally 23 to 27 long and 700 lbs. to 1100 lbs. in weight
- Designed for hand launching from the beach
- Used along East Coast due to soft sand and shallow water entries
- Maneuverable via wheeled cart pulled by surfmen or a horse or horses if available
- Normally self-bailing and later both self bailing and self-righting
- Usually powered by 6 or 7 oars
- Converted to engine powered surfboats in 1910
Lifeboats
- Generally 29 to 34' long and about 4000 lbs. in weight
- Normally launched from marine railways, piers or docks
- Applied along the West Coast and the Great Lakes where harbors, river mouths and bays provided sheltered deeper water entries
- Maneuvered by carts, wheeled or railway, and pier or dock launching devices
- Generally self-bailing and self-righting due to size and weight
- Normally propelled by 8 oars or by sail at times
- Developed a 36 engine powered lifeboat in 1907 as a standard model
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 39° 2.367′ N, 74° 46.162′ W. Marker is in Stone Harbor, New Jersey,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on New Jersey’s Jersey Shore. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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 New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: This Rescue Boat (here, next to this marker); Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); U.S. Life Saving Station No.35 (Tatham Life Saving Station) (within shouting distance of this marker); Stone Harbor Lions Club Salutes our Veterans (within shouting distance of this marker); Stephen C. Ludlam Post 331 (within shouting distance of this marker); God Bless America (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed by Pete Skillman, May 18, 2024
2. Life-Saving Service Rescue Boats Marker wide view
Photographed by Pete Skillman, May 18, 2024
3. Surfboat
Photographed by Pete Skillman, May 18, 2024
4. Interior of surfboat
Credits. This page was last revised on May 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Wilmington, Delaware. This page has been viewed 162 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 18, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Wilmington, Delaware.
