Spermaceti Cove was the first of the initial seven US Life Saving Service Stations. It was built in 1849 and located at Spermaceti Cove on Sandy hook, NJ probably until 1949 at which time I believe it was moved to a location behind Building 1 at Station Sandy Hook near the Loran A building.

Things get a little murky after that. The USLSS station was then moved up to the Twin Lights in Highlands, NJ sometime around 1954 - 55. Evidentally someone at Group or Station Sandy Hook authorized the move, but we don't know who or exactly why it was moved to the Twin Lights. We don't know whether if was a donation, gift or loan.

Also, we don't know what artifacts came with it although I believe that there may have been a Francis Life Car, Cunnigham Rocket and a Lyle Gun along with some other equipment.

The third Spermaceti Cove Life Saving Station is still on the Hook at Spermaceti Cove and is now the Gateway National Recreation Area - Sandy Hook Visitors Center. I am a Twin Lights Historical Society Trustee and am working the the NPS - Sandy Hook historian to move the original Life Saving Station from the Twin Lights back to Spermaceti Cove where it belongs.

This is the oldest extant Life Saving Station. Somehow we need to preserve and restore it and get it back where it belongs. Any suggestions for fund raising and/or restoration would be appreciated.

If anyone has information on who authorized the move from the Hook to Twin Lights and any of the detail, please post it here or email me through military.com.

LCDR Chuck Gullage USCGR (Ret)

http://www.uscg.mil/history/stations/SPERMACETICOVE.pdf

" In the 1894 Annual Report: …station has been rebuilt, to take the place of one erected many years ago, which does not now afford adequate facilities for the residence of the crew and the proper storage of the appliances that have been added in recent years, and which also stands within the range of the modern guns now tested on the proving grounds of the Ordnance Department of the Army."

Thanks Chief. Having a Life Saving Station down range of Sandy Hook Proving Grounds sounds like a risky proposition to me. Fortunately the proving ground batteries where about a mile and a half north of Spermaceti Cove so hopefully not too many projectiles made it that far.

Did you serve on Sandy Hook by any chance?

No sir

But the history of the USLSS is interesting.

Chuck: I unfortunately do not have information on who authorized that station building's relocation, but I do have some information from the 1930s-40s before the relocation as to what artifacts were stored there. I can also provide historical information on what specific rescue craft were assigned to each of the USLSS stations around the Sandy Hook area. As far as funding, you may want to contact John Galluzzo and Wick York with the USLSS Heritage Assoc. since they have been involved with past efforts to preserve various USLSS structures. If you would like to correspond with me separately by e-mail, I can be reached at tdring@its.jnj.com. Best regards. Tim