Beach Access Ramp 27

Sea oats, beach, and ocean

Quick Facts

Location:

Salvo, NC

Significance:

Beach Access Off-Road Vehicle Route

Amenities

3 listed

Beach/Water Access, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Recycling

Ramps are subject to closure. For the most current status of beach access ramps, go to https://go.nps.gov/beachaccess.

Beach Access Ramp 27 provides year-round off-road vehicle and pedestrian access to the beaches where a famous US Life-Saving Service rescue was conducted. A dedicated off-road vehicle ramp and a pedestrian boardwalk lead out to the beach.

Off-road vehicle and pedestrian access to the beach is provided north of the ramp, while pedestrian-only access to the beach is provided south of the ramp. The parking lot has seventeen normal-sized and one accessible spaces.

Rescue from the Priscilla

Late night patrols along the beach just across this dune were usually dark, but it was nearly pitch-black for US Life-Saving Service Surfman Rasmus S. Midgett on August 17, 1899. A hurricane was driving winds and water over the island, and he was alone on patrol when he saw the Priscilla , a 643-ton ship, grounded 100 yards off the beach.

The cries of the crew forced him to make a hard choice: take three hours to get help from the Gull Shores US Life-Saving Station or attempt a solo rescue now. Midgett, one of a long line of the local surfmen, chose the latter. Seven times he waded to the ship through crashing waves, and seven men he brought to safety, one at a time.

Even then, three were still on the Priscilla , too injured and exhausted to make the journey. Midgett, undaunted, risked his life and braved the raging sea to climb the Priscilla 's side and carried each man down the boat and to safety.

For his efforts, Midgett was awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal of Honor "In Testimony of Heroic Deeds in the Saving of Life from the Perils of the Sea." The US Coast Guard still recognizes the rescue from the Priscilla as one of the top ten rescues in American maritime history.