Outer Banks Black History

ABOUT US

East Carolina Pathway to Freedom Coalition MISSION STATEMENT The East Carolina Pathway to Freedom Coalition, a non-profit organization founded in January, 2002, seeks to protect, preserve and promote, through education and public awareness, the history of the African American’s struggle for freedom and equality in eastern North Carolina, and in particular the Outer Banks. and to preserve that history for future generations.
We want to promote the accomplishments and economic, social and cultural contributions of African Americans throughout the area, through educational programs, in the schools and in public forums, and in printed materials such as brochures, research papers, thesis, magazine and newspaper articles, and history books. We also want to gather and document the stories of life on the Outer Banks as told to us by the African American senior generation. These reflections should teach the future generation of a simpler, more gracious life – although one of hard work and primitive living – here on the Outer Banks.
A short history of the: PEA ISLAND LIFESAVING STATION #17 The Pea Island Lifesaving Station #17 is historically significant and distinctive because it was the only lifesaving station to be manned by an all black crew. As early as 1880, when blacks had been freed from the bondage of slavery, yet not accepted into society, Richard Etheridge became the first ever African American Life Saving Keeper. He selected the men for his crew carefully from the local men as the white surf men adamantly refused to work for a black keeper. He drilled his crew hard and expected perfection from each of his men when the time came to save the lives of the crews and passengers of a shipwrecked vessel. Keeper Etheridge understood that more would be expected of his crew and they would be under much scrutiny simply because of the color of their skin. While white Keepers were given awards for their saving of precious cargo, the crew of Pea Island did not receive any recognition, though it is estimated they saved more than 600 lives in those early years. It wasn’t until 1996, after the efforts of a then 14 year old girl, two authors and a U.S. Congressman, that the Coast Guard paid honor to the men of the 1896 crew for their heroic efforts in saving the lives of those aboard the E.S. Newman. While those brave, dedicated men would never know that they were honored, it was still a tremendous point of pride to the African American community.
Even after the US Lifesaving Service became a part of the U.S. Coast Guard in 1915, the station continued to be manned by African Americans, most of whom were raised in the Outer Banks area. By then, of course, the three-masted schooner went the way of the horse drawn cart, but still the men were called upon to make many rescues at sea – most often after a plane crashed into the waters off the coast or a small craft became stranded on the dangerous shoals. The crew was also used as paramedics then, treating the sick and injured as the nearest doctor was a distance away in Wanchese, and they were used to transport the few residents of Bodie Island to higher grounds when a hurricane or Nor’easter caused flooding. After more than 67 years of dedicated service, the station closed in 1947.
The Pea Island African American Cultural Center will stand as a constant reminder of these courageous men who risked their lives for so many and who inspired many of the young black men of Manteo to enlist in the Armed Forces to serve their country. They also set an excellent example of courage, dignity and pride (in discipline and workmanship) for all of the Outer Banks community. Today, many of these men’s descendents still reside in Manteo. We are proud to have a part in keeping this rich African American history alive!
Home \| About \| Events \| Get Involved \| Dellerva Collins l Projects \| Donations \| Links \| Contact Us © copyright 2006 East Carolina Pathway to Freedom Coalition 05/14/2008 11:19 AM