Station Gay Head, Massachusetts
later Station Menemsha
Coast Guard Station # 49
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Location:
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On west end of Martha's Vineyard, 3/16 mile north of Gay Head Light; 41-21' 04"N x 70-50' 08"W
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Date of Conveyance:
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1894
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Station Built:
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1895
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Fate:
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Original buildings turned over to GSA in 1955
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Gay Head / Menemsha (#49):
This station was built and put operation in 1895 on a site described as "on Marthas Vinyard, west end, near Gay Head Light." The station is listed as being still active in 1945. In 1973, the name of the station was changed to Menemsha to reflect its actual location.
Keepers:
The first keeper was Nehemiah C. Hayman, who was appointed on October 4, 1895 and reassigned to the Nahant station on March 16, 1900. He was followed in turn by Albertus S. Cahoon (March 16, 1900 until reassigned to the City Point station on November 9, 1911), Robert F. Pierce (October 28, 1911 until reassigned to the City Point station on April 21, 1913), and Arthur E. Larkin (acting, but never appointed). The position as keeper was listed as vacant for some time. Chief Petty Officer A. E. Larkin is listed as being in charge in 1927 and departed in 1928; he may have been an "enlisted man in charge" during the interim. He was relieved by Frederick W. Howes, who was reassigned from the Muskeget station on January 10, 1929. He was reassigned to the Maddeket station on March 15, 1931. Next in command was Arthur L. Lanphere, reassigned from the Block Island station on November 2, 1931 and serving until his retirement on March 1, 1935. The last officer in charge listed before the war is Chief Petty Officer H. E. Kinnecom in 1935.
Sources:
Station History File, CG Historian’s Office
Dennis L. Noble & Michael S. Raynes. “Register of the Stations and Keepers of the U.S. Life-Saving Service.” Unpublished manuscript, compiled circa 1977, CG Historian’s Office collection.
Ralph Shanks, Wick York & Lisa Woo Shanks. The U.S. Life-Saving Service: Heroes, Rescues and Architecture of the Early Coast Guard. Petaluma, CA: Costaño Books, 1996.
U.S. Treasury Department: Coast Guard. Register of the Commissioned and Warrant Officers and Cadets and Ships and Stations of the United States Coast Guard, July 1, 1941. Washington, DC: USGPO, 1941.