The Wreck of the Elizabeth

On January 8, 1887, the German clipper Elizabeth wrecked at Sandbridge beach between the Dam Neck Mills and Little Island Life Saving Stations. Crews from the two stations responded. However, the Elizabeth’s sailors all drowned when their lifeboat swamped, and five of the life saving crew drowned when their surf boat swamped. These men were Abel Belanga, his brother James, his brother-in-law Joseph Spratley, George Stone, and John Land. On January 8, 2014, a memorial service was held at Tabernacle United Methodist Church to honor them.

The program for the service can be viewed at Surfmen Memorial. The genealogy of the mens’ families—a work still in progress—can be viewed here.