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Takanassee, Lifesaving and Shipwrecks at the Jersey Shore - Tuesday March 6, 2012, 7:15 pm


Winter Speaker Event - Takanassee, Lifesaving and Shipwrecks at the Jersey Shore - Tuesday March 6, 2012, 7:15 pm - Old Oakhurst School Auditorium

In centuries past, New Jersey was the mariner’s nightmare—arguably the deadliest coast in the world. It is said that if all the ships wrecked along its expanse were laid end to end, the string of sunken hulls would stretch from Sandy Hook t...o Cape May. A deadly combination of shallow and shifting shoals, strong in-shore currents, heavy ship traffic, North Atlantic storms, and primitive navigational and weather forecasting tools together made the Jersey coast the “graveyard of the Atlantic.”

An appeal for help came from a NJ Congressman William Newell (later governor). At his urging, the federal government appropriated funds to establish life-saving stations along the coast. The first federally-equipped station was built at Sandy Hook. Not long after, another was set up at Takanassee beach in Long Branch. The three distinctive buildings that still stand at Takanassee beach were part of the U.S. Life-Saving Service, created in 1848 in response to the alarming loss of life and property from ships wrecked off our shores.

In 1915, the Life-Saving Service merged with the Revenue Cutter Service to form the U.S. Coast Guard, and Guardsmen continued for decades to operate out of Takanassee. The stations were deactivated in 1928 by the Coast Guard, and the site eventually became the Takanassee Beach Club.

Local historians Dr. Richard Fernicola and Jim Foley lent artifacts as well as their expertise to the current Township of Ocean Historical Museum exhibit, Shipwrecks, Life-Saving, and the Story of Takanassee. This fascinating tale of the treacherous nature of early sea travel, New Jerseys’ role in the country’s response and the heroism of Life Saving Station #5 is featured at the Eden Woolley House, 703 Deal Road, Ocean.

In conjunction with this exhibit, on Tuesday, March 6 at 7:15 pm at the Old Oakhurst School Auditorium, 163 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst, these popular guest speakers will bring to life engaging tales of tragic maritime wrecks, heroic deeds of early life-savers, as well as an update on the fate of the historic buildings of the former lifesaving station.

The program is open to the public free of charge. (Donations are welcome.) Refreshments will be served.

Township of Ocean Historical Museum

Keep in touch with us at:

Our web site: http://www.OceanMuseum.org/
Our Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/OceanMuseum
Our Twitter Page: http://twitter.com/OceanMuseum
Our Blogspot page: http://OceanMuseum.blogspot.com/

Eden Woolley's Birthday Party, Sunday March 4, 2012, 1:00pm-4:00pm

REMINDER -
Sunday, March 4, 2012, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Eden Woolley House, Oakhurst


 

 


 

Heart of Gold (and Silver) Fundraiser - Continued



Well our Heart of Gold Fundraiser was a rousing success. In fact, Earth Treasures has offered to extend the Fundraiser for a week at its store in Eatontown. Earth Treasures, will buy your unwanted gold and other precious metals. They will donate a percentage of their profit to support the Museum. You can exchange gold, platinum and silver jewelry. Earth Treasures will also buy silver place settings, candlesticks, trays etc.

If you were not able to make it to the event last night, you may still be able to trade in your gold silver or platinum and help the Museum at the same time. Go to Earth Treasures anytime up till next Saturday (February 18, 2012) and mention that you are there to help the Ocean Township Historical Museum, and they will not only give you the money for your jewelry, but a percentage will go the Museum as well.

Earth Treasures is located at:

Office Max Shopping Center
178 State Route 35 South
Eatontown, NJ 07724

(732) 542-5444

So, if you were not able to come last night, or if you came but forgot to bring something, there is still time to help.

Thank you for your support,

Township of Ocean Historical Museum
http://www.OceanMuseum.org