Station Point Lookout, New York
Earlier referred to as Long Beach, east end
USLSS Station #32, Third District
Coast Guard Station #89
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Location:
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At Point Lookout, 1/2 mile west of Jones Inlet; 40-35' 20"N x 73-35' 00"W
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Date of Conveyance:
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1855
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Station Built:
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1872
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Fate:
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Abandoned in 1948
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Remarks:
It is not known precisely when this station was built, but the first keeper is recorded as being appointed in 1853. Until changed by Treasury Department Circular No. 41, effective June 1, 1883, this station was called "Long Beach east end station" and its position is "two miles west of Jones Inlet." Subsequent to 1883, it was called Point Lookout and the position is two miles west of New Inlet." The station was extensively repaired and improved in 1888. In 1908, a severe storm made it necessary to erect new buildings and repair others; these buildings were located without any regard to boundaries or property descriptions. In 1936, the station is listed as a discontinued station in care of the Long Beach station; BM1 T. O’Neal was in charge. It remained so until World War II. The property was abandoned in 1948.
Keepers:
Following Oliver S. Denton, the first keeper, was James R. Smith, who was appointed in 1856 for an unknown period of time. Then came Daniel W. Smith, appointed at the age of 42 on January 2, 1869 (with experience as a wrecker and surfman) and serving until his death on January 10, 1875. Quincey C. Raynor was appointed on January 28, 1875; the end of there assignments is not known with certainty. Following them were Andrew Rhodes (appointed August 27, 1880 until his discharge August 23, 1902), Franklin M. Smith (appointed September 30, 1902 until his resignation April 19, 1907), Andros Seaman (appointed April 17, 1907 until his retirement with thirty years of service July 15, 1918), William E. Wood (acting until his appointment May 18, 1920 and resigned May 6, 1927) and H. B. Tuttle (reassigned from "Fire Island Inlet area" March 12, 1927 and served until his reassignment to Georgica station December 21, 1928). By this time, the description of the location of the station was given as " on Long Beach abreast of Freeport, west one and one—half miles of Jones Inlet." The next listed Coast Guardsman in charge was chief petty officer C. T. Williams, Jr. (1930). Warrant officer Charles R. Peele reported October 11, 1930 and served until his reassignment to the Short Beach station November 14, 1934.
Photographs:
“Point Lookout"; no date/photo number; photographer unknown.
The 1849 station. Courtesy of Captain II Chuck Jacobi,
Fairfax County Fire Department, Virginia.
No caption/date/photo number; photographer unknown.
The 1871 station. Courtesy of Captain II Chuck Jacobi, Fairfax County Fire Department, Fire Station 19, Virginia.
"U.S. LIFE SAVING STATION, POINT LOOKOUT."
"Pub. by J. D. [illegible] [;] Freeport, L.I."
The 1871 station on a period colorized post card, circa 1908. Courtesy of Captain II Chuck Jacobi, Fairfax County Fire Department, Fire Station 19, Virginia.
"Life Savers at Work, Point Lookout, Freeport, L.I."
"Imported and Published by the Freeport Souvenir Post Card Co., Freeport, L.I.";
Courtesy of Captain II Chuck Jacobi, Fairfax County Fire Department, Fire Station 19, Virginia.
No caption/date/photo number; photographer unknown.
The station's lookout tower, circa 1931. Courtesy of Captain II Chuck Jacobi, Fairfax County Fire Department, Fire Station 19, Virginia.
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.