Highlands in Monmouth County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Spermaceti Cove Life Saving Station
Twin Lights Historic Site
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 15, 2022
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.
Erected by New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection; Division of Parks and Forestry, State Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1956.
Location. 40° 23.813′ N, 73° 59.157′ W. Marker is in Highlands, New Jersey, in Monmouth County. Marker is on Light House Road, 0.1 miles south of Twinlights Terrace, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Light House Rd, Highlands NJ 07732, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Spermaceti Cove Lifesaving Station (here, next to this marker); Marconi at Twin Lights (a few steps from this marker); The Old North Tower (a few steps from this marker); Navesink Light Station (a few steps from this marker); Telegraph and Radar at Twin Lights
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 15, 2022
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 15, 2022
Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 121 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 19, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.