To visit the Pea Island Life-Saving Station, take Hwy 12 south from Nags Head. Enter the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and continue traveling south until you reach Salvo. Once in Salvo, the station will be located on your right as you continue south, and there is a large sign at the drive which leads to the station that reads "Hatteras Watersports." The station building is easily spotted from Hwy. 12. Be sure to look for the lookout tower to make finding the station easier.
The Pea Island Life-Saving Station was established with the construction of an 1876-Type station building. It was located on the beach across from where the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge headquarters is currently located. The 1876-Type station served until the early 1880’s when a fire destroyed the building. The station was replaced and it remained in service until 1915 when a new station was constructed and was used by the Coast Guard. Once the building was no longer needed, it was sold to private citizens, who had the station moved to the village of Salvo for use as a private residence. Today the station remains in good condition.
This particular station has the distinction of being the only life-saving station that was run by an all black surfmen crew. These men have been recognized for saving nine people from the E.S. Newman, which was a schooner that wrecked just off the coast in 1896. For their
Pea Island Life-Saving Station
Photo taken October 16, 2004
This is the rear of the station building, and is the side that is visible from Hwy. 12
Photo taken Spetember 11, 2004
When the station was moved from Pea Island and relocated to Salvo, the front of the building was turned so that it was facing the sound.
Photo taken Spetember 11, 2004
The southern side of the station is where the water cistern is located.
Photo taken Spetember 11, 2004
Photo taken Spetember 11, 2004
This is the "northen" view of station. The lookout tower is located to the right, just outside of the photo.
The lookout tower is in good condition as well.
Photo taken Spetember 11, 2004
Photo taken Spetember 11, 2004
Although the cistern has some damage to it, it still remains in good condition.
efforts, these men were later awarded a Gold Lifesaving Medal in 1996.
