NPS Photo impressive structures. Its appearance is striking against the surrounding changing landscape of beach grass, dunes and sand. Located in a roadless area on the southern tip of the island, Station Number 150 at Assateague Beach, includes a station house, boathouse, lookout tower, and other outlying structures. For 71 years these resolute buildings weathered the test of time. In April of 2003 four Coast Guard “old-timers” returned to the Station to unlock some of its history. Instead of bringing implements of research theybrought with them something more valuable – memories.
Oral history is a term used to describe stories told by individuals about their past. Recording oral histories is the best means to preserve historical jokes, expressions, achievements, adventures, struggles and relationships of bygone days. The National Park Service is striving to do more to preserve oral histories associated with places like the Coast Guard Station. With this in mind, Kara and Richard Funk, a husband and wife team with extensive experience in Eastern Shore heritage preservation, were contracted by the National Park Service to locate individuals and conduct a series of oral history interviews. They enthusiastically went about talking to local Chincoteague residents and quickly located four individuals who had first hand knowledge of the Station: Edward “Popsicle” Lewis, a former officer in charge of the Station, Kenny Johnson, a former cook at the Station, as well as Frank Williams and Louis Bitner, who served there. A professional National Park Service videographer and a soundman were enlisted for the job. The Station itself was selected to be the backdrop for the interviews. What followed was a day that will long be remembered.
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These were the days before there was a bridge to the island, and Frank Williams remembered when he was first ferried there by surf boat. After a docking mishap at the boathouse, that caused a “fuss” between the pilot, Bill Daisy, and the officer in charge of the Station, Elmer Lunn, Mr. Williams said he was worried he’d made a big mistake in coming to Assateague. The young boatswain threw his sea bag on the dock, scrambled up, and stood at attention. Mr. Lunn put his arm around his shoulder and said warmly, “We’re tickled to death to have you here, Frank. You don’t know how badly we need you. Come on up to the Station. Supper’s ready.” Mr. Williams said he would never forget how good those words sounded to him on that day, and he said he came to know Mr. Lunn as a very fair and kindhearted man.
Popsicle Lewis told how, as a young boy, he liked to visit the Station and how a former Chief, George Pruitt, took him under his wing and inspired him to want to join the Coast Guard. Certainly the presence of visitors must have made life at the Station more distracting. Kenny Johnson told of an old waterman who was a regular visitor who came by to take naps and get free meals. Mr. Lewis recalled how a couple landed a plane at the site to pay a visit. Mr. Williams recalled the USO coming to show movies at the station. The men invited an elderly couple from the old Assateague Village who hadn’t seen many “talking picture shows” before.
As many as 12 to 15 men lived at the station and followed a routine of cleaning, maintenance, patrols, watchtower duty and drills. During World War II there were Army horses to ride on beach patrol. Frank Williams recalled that they had “some of the hardest riding saddles you ever saw in your life.” One guardsman, he said, ended up with “two great big blisters on his back end.” There was little free time, but what free time they did have, was spent playing cards, horseshoes or baseball, clamming, fishing and occasionally using a shotgun for hunting on the refuge. In those days the refuge staff turned a blind eye to many of these hunting activities, perhaps because they wanted to give these young servicemen a break, or perhaps they wanted to be invited to dinner.
In the summers the mosquitoes could be a problem. “We didn’t have lotions back in those days,” recalled Mr. Lewis. They would cover up with an oilskin hat, netting, long sleeves, gloves and boots to keep from getting eaten up. In the winters there were some serious nor’easters that hit the island. During storm conditions many duties were curtailed, but not the watchtower duty. It sometimes became necessary to take to sea in the most inclement conditions when boats were spotted on the shoals. But listening to the former Coast Guardsmen it was obvious they took it in stride. There was nothing they liked better than helping those in need or distress. “I loved lifesaving,” said Mr. Lewis, “you felt like you were doing something good for everyone you dealt with.”
Edward “Popsicle” Lewis, and Kenny Johnson NPS Photo |
Last updated: January 29, 2024