Story of Chicamacomico

Debra Keirce

$695.00

Story of the Chicamacomico is an original oil painting by  Debra Keirce.  The art measures 11″ x 7"  the  frame (book) measuring  12 1/2" x 9" when the book is closed.

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Chicmacomico is an historic 1874 life saving station. It predates today's Coast Guard. Crews here have helped 177,286 souls. It was moved 3 times by storms and twice by men. Its original location is now underwater in the Atlantic. It was struck by lightning in 2007. 

 This building deserves some reverence. 

 Back in the day, a crew of 4 men who slept upstairs and kept watch in an open air tower would come to your rescue in surfboat no. 1046. It weighed 8,000 lbs. fully loaded and was self bailing through a series of hatched drains. It was self righting with air ballast compartments. It was powered by oars and a steering rudder. You would be hauled to safety using a breeches buoy. It was a life preserver with short pants sewn to it. It was hung on a rope by wide suspenders and the rope was attached to a handle crank on shore. A tug on the rope was the signal for them to pull you in!

 The boat and life car are paraded through town in an annual celebration. Can you imagine, if you were drowning at sea, what a sight for sore eyes this contraption would be!



Category: Seascape / Marine

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