Date of Award

2006

Degree Name

History

College

College of Liberal Arts

Type of Degree

M.A.

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

Daniel Holbrook

Second Advisor

Kat Williams

Third Advisor

Robert Sawrey

Abstract

This study examines racial segregation through the lens of the first and only all African-American crew in the history of the United States Life Saving Service (L.S.S.), predecessor to the United States Coast Guard. The all-black Pea Island station, under Richard Etheridge’s leadership, remained the only L.S.S. station with any black surfmen from 1880 until WWII. This study will consider the geography of the station’s location on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, the life of its keeper, Richard Etheridge, and the nature of the Life-Saving Service to show this segregated station provided some benefits to the men who served there.

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