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Fire on the Beach: Recovering the Lost Story of Richard Etheridge and the Pea Island Lifesavers
Fire on the Beach recovers the heroic, long-forgotten story of the only all-black crew in the history of the U.S. Coast Guard. In 1871 the Life-Saving Service, the precursor to the Coast Guard, was created by Congress to assure the safe passage of American and international shipping and to save lives and salvage cargo. Although it was decommissioned in 1915, a century ago the LSS boasted some two hundred stations, and the adventures of the now forgotten "surfmen" filled the pages of popular reading, from Harper's to the Baltimore Sun to the New York Herald .
This book tells the story of Station 17 of Pea Island, North Carolina, and its courageous captain, Richard Etheridge. A former slave and Civil War veteran, Etheridge was appointed Keeper of the Pea Island station, but when the white crew already in place refused to serve under him, he recruited and trained an entirely black crew. Although they were among the most courageous in the service, leading many daring rescues and saving scores of men, women, and children along the treacherous stretch of coast known as "the Graveyard of the Atlantic," civilian attitudes toward the Pea Island surfmen ranged from curiosity to outrage. When a hurricane hit the Banks in the late 1890s, they managed to save everyone aboard the wrecked E.S. Newman . This incredible feat went unrecognized for a century until, in 1996, the Coast Guard posthumously awarded Etheridge and his men the Gold Life-Saving Medal.
This courageous story of a group of men who battled prejudice as well as fierce storms to carry out heroic deeds illustrates yet another example of the contribution of one group of remarkable African Americans to this country's history.
This book tells the story of Station 17 of Pea Island, North Carolina, and its courageous captain, Richard Etheridge. A former slave and Civil War veteran, Etheridge was appointed Keeper of the Pea Island station, but when the white crew already in place refused to serve under him, he recruited and trained an entirely black crew. Although they were among the most courageous in the service, leading many daring rescues and saving scores of men, women, and children along the treacherous stretch of coast known as "the Graveyard of the Atlantic," civilian attitudes toward the Pea Island surfmen ranged from curiosity to outrage. When a hurricane hit the Banks in the late 1890s, they managed to save everyone aboard the wrecked E.S. Newman . This incredible feat went unrecognized for a century until, in 1996, the Coast Guard posthumously awarded Etheridge and his men the Gold Life-Saving Medal.
This courageous story of a group of men who battled prejudice as well as fierce storms to carry out heroic deeds illustrates yet another example of the contribution of one group of remarkable African Americans to this country's history.
335 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2001
19 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
About the author
David Wright
2 books6 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
This is David Wright, born 1964.
He also publishes under the name David Wright Faladé.
This is David Wright, born 1964.
He also publishes under the name David Wright Faladé.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 5, 2023
Another great book I picked up on the Outer Banks this past summer. This is one of those great attempts to recover a little bit of lost history, in this case, one that covers a lot of historical ground. The Pea Island Lifesavers were the first all-black (due to post-Reconstruction racism, natch) life-saving crew on the Outer Banks. Etheridge was the head keeper of the post and did much to resuscitate the much-maligned lifesaving service, the precursor to the Coast Guard. Etheridge's story starts, though, with him growing up a slave on Roanoke Island, his career as a Union soldier in the Civil War, accounts of battles along the VA and NC coast, and only then do we get to the Pea Island crew. Like I said, this covers a lot of fascinating ground. The Pea Island guys did a lot of good work saving shipwrecked folks along the notoriously dangerous Outer Banks and this is a welcome slice of American history that got forgotten, but thanks to the Davids, revived.
February 15, 2017
Non-fiction account of these brave men and the challenges they faced reads like an historical novel.
February 22, 2022
Fire on the Beach is an amazing story. I can't write a review of it because I am at a loss for words. I cried through the last chapter. This is the story of seven truly outstanding men. They were outstanding, not because of their color, and not in spite of their color; they were outstanding because they did what they did not for money or recognition but to save lives.
April 27, 2024
Excellent! This book is a valuable gem of information on Richard Etheridge and his all Black crew of surfmen in the U.S. Life-Saving Service (LSS) on Pea Island, North Carolina. The authors did an exceptional amount of research to provide many historical details on the topic. I am very appreciative of their work.
The book is divided into three sections about Richard Etheridge’s life. The first part focuses on his early life as a slave in North Carolina and his Union Army enlistment into 36th U.S. Colored Troops (USCT). He fought against the southern Confederacy during the American Civil War (1861-1865). The book also pays homage to the 54th Massachusetts Colored Volunteer Infantry Regiment featured in the movie Glory (1989). The second part is an introduction to the Life-Saving Service (LSS) in North Carolina. The LSS was an early forerunner to the U.S. Coast Guard Service. The third part reveals the life of a surfman with all its challenges and the heroism of the Pea Island crew.
The historical details cover the experiences of Black Civil War soldiers (e.g. lower wages compared to White soldiers, racism on the battlefield & in the military ranks, and their ability to liberate other slaves, including their wives, children, and other family members.) There are highlights of the Reconstruction period (1865-1877) and how the advances of African-American freedmen, fell victim to anti-Black socio-political sabotage to maintain racism as the status quo. The Black Pea Island surfmen would go on to to rescue the crew of the E.S. Newman amid extremely hazardous conditions. On March 5th, 1996 they were rewarded for their ingenuity and brave rescue of the E.S. Newman with the Gold Life-Saving Medal, given posthumously by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Unfortunately, half-truths and racist tropes still exist today about the plight of enslaved Africans in America. African Americans are the ancestral survivors of these people who fought against the inhumanity of chattel slavery (1619-1865, 246 years), when they could and the best they could. That part of the story needs to be told more often. And this book does a good job revealing that side of the story. African Americans participated in their own liberation from chattel slavery when they could through various means: as run away fugitives, plantation slave revolts, lawsuits, and enlistment into the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Finally, I remember many years ago the artist formerly known as Prince claimed unfair dealings in the music industry was a form of slavery. He even wore the word “Slave” on his face in public. This is not a comparison of chattel slavery to unfair contractual dealings. Because these two issues are very different. But there is recognition of a common thread of similarity when people feel entitled to own other people. So, when statements are made to degrade the dignity and plight of enslaved Africans due to ignorance, racist half-truths, or attention-seeking behavior, remember these people had a nation and laws working against them while living in a foreign country. A lot of food for thought. I appreciate the outstanding research done in this book to help restore the dignity of these remarkable people. And tell their side of the story.
🌷Book Quotes:
“Hurricanes and nor’easters could rise up from the Atlantic with no warning, stunning and destroying whole fleets at once.”
“And the black troopers put their confidence in their officers. One, First Lieutenant James Backuss, was excused from the fight because of lameness…but he disobeyed orders to stay with the men and lead them into battle. It was men liked Backuss who exemplified what was best about the white officers.”
“Blacks made up about 11 percent of the Union Army when the fighting ended. By the fall, with the large numbers of white volunteer regiments demobilized, the percentage of USCT jumped suddenly to 36 percent of the active forces.”
The book is divided into three sections about Richard Etheridge’s life. The first part focuses on his early life as a slave in North Carolina and his Union Army enlistment into 36th U.S. Colored Troops (USCT). He fought against the southern Confederacy during the American Civil War (1861-1865). The book also pays homage to the 54th Massachusetts Colored Volunteer Infantry Regiment featured in the movie Glory (1989). The second part is an introduction to the Life-Saving Service (LSS) in North Carolina. The LSS was an early forerunner to the U.S. Coast Guard Service. The third part reveals the life of a surfman with all its challenges and the heroism of the Pea Island crew.
The historical details cover the experiences of Black Civil War soldiers (e.g. lower wages compared to White soldiers, racism on the battlefield & in the military ranks, and their ability to liberate other slaves, including their wives, children, and other family members.) There are highlights of the Reconstruction period (1865-1877) and how the advances of African-American freedmen, fell victim to anti-Black socio-political sabotage to maintain racism as the status quo. The Black Pea Island surfmen would go on to to rescue the crew of the E.S. Newman amid extremely hazardous conditions. On March 5th, 1996 they were rewarded for their ingenuity and brave rescue of the E.S. Newman with the Gold Life-Saving Medal, given posthumously by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Unfortunately, half-truths and racist tropes still exist today about the plight of enslaved Africans in America. African Americans are the ancestral survivors of these people who fought against the inhumanity of chattel slavery (1619-1865, 246 years), when they could and the best they could. That part of the story needs to be told more often. And this book does a good job revealing that side of the story. African Americans participated in their own liberation from chattel slavery when they could through various means: as run away fugitives, plantation slave revolts, lawsuits, and enlistment into the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Finally, I remember many years ago the artist formerly known as Prince claimed unfair dealings in the music industry was a form of slavery. He even wore the word “Slave” on his face in public. This is not a comparison of chattel slavery to unfair contractual dealings. Because these two issues are very different. But there is recognition of a common thread of similarity when people feel entitled to own other people. So, when statements are made to degrade the dignity and plight of enslaved Africans due to ignorance, racist half-truths, or attention-seeking behavior, remember these people had a nation and laws working against them while living in a foreign country. A lot of food for thought. I appreciate the outstanding research done in this book to help restore the dignity of these remarkable people. And tell their side of the story.
🌷Book Quotes:
“Hurricanes and nor’easters could rise up from the Atlantic with no warning, stunning and destroying whole fleets at once.”
“And the black troopers put their confidence in their officers. One, First Lieutenant James Backuss, was excused from the fight because of lameness…but he disobeyed orders to stay with the men and lead them into battle. It was men liked Backuss who exemplified what was best about the white officers.”
“Blacks made up about 11 percent of the Union Army when the fighting ended. By the fall, with the large numbers of white volunteer regiments demobilized, the percentage of USCT jumped suddenly to 36 percent of the active forces.”
May 29, 2022
At the conclusion of his Civil War enlistment Etheridge, now married and living on the coast of North Carolina, is working as Keeper of the Pea Island station of the Life-Saving Service (LSS). The LSS preceded the Coast Guard and was only commissioned for service from 1871-1915. Etheridge was challenged by his white crew so he replaced them and together he and the men became known as some of the most courageous in the service. I so enjoyed learning about the precursor of the Coast Guard and the challenges they had on isolated beaches with crews struggling through racism, trying to support their communities and their families while risking their lives against the elements and the capricious sea waters.
I find it really interesting that after working on the nonfiction account of Etheridge’s later life, David Wright Falade was not finished with this man’s story so he went on to create a book about his early life. Black Cloud Rising is definitely the most interesting novel of Civil War troops I have ever read and I highly recommend it. If like me you are taken with the story of Dick Etheridge you too may want to read the true story of his professional endeavors in later years in Fire on the Beach.
I find it really interesting that after working on the nonfiction account of Etheridge’s later life, David Wright Falade was not finished with this man’s story so he went on to create a book about his early life. Black Cloud Rising is definitely the most interesting novel of Civil War troops I have ever read and I highly recommend it. If like me you are taken with the story of Dick Etheridge you too may want to read the true story of his professional endeavors in later years in Fire on the Beach.
April 27, 2022
This was an absolutely incredible book. First of all, the authors uncovered a hidden chapter of history through diligent and thorough research, allowing these brave men to get the credit they have long deserved. Second of all, it's really well written. Especially in the chapters about the rescues at sea, you feel like you're living it. It was absolutely riveting.
I agree with others that the Civil War chapter was a bit longer and more detailed than it needed to be, so just read until it gets too dense with battle details and then skip it... you will still get the basic idea of the heroism of Black soldiers during the war without losing the main gist of the book.
I got this book through interlibrary loan after hearing about the Pea Island lifesavers in a guidebook I read before a trip to the Outer Banks. We stayed in Manteo, where you can visit the actual Pea Island station, which has been moved to the town. There's a statue and plaque honoring keeper Richard Etheridge and his team. We also visited the site where the "freedmen's colony" was located on Roanoke Island. There's some fascinating Black history in the Outer Banks and I'm grateful to this book for opening my eyes to it.
I agree with others that the Civil War chapter was a bit longer and more detailed than it needed to be, so just read until it gets too dense with battle details and then skip it... you will still get the basic idea of the heroism of Black soldiers during the war without losing the main gist of the book.
I got this book through interlibrary loan after hearing about the Pea Island lifesavers in a guidebook I read before a trip to the Outer Banks. We stayed in Manteo, where you can visit the actual Pea Island station, which has been moved to the town. There's a statue and plaque honoring keeper Richard Etheridge and his team. We also visited the site where the "freedmen's colony" was located on Roanoke Island. There's some fascinating Black history in the Outer Banks and I'm grateful to this book for opening my eyes to it.
September 18, 2025
I'm tremendously conflicted on this book.
On one hand, it's extremely well researched and written. Honoring the accomplishment and sacrifice of Richard Etheridge and the Pea Island lifesavers as the only black crew in the LSS is honorable and heartwarming. The book has a fantastic intro and outro.
On the other hand...there's about 250 pages in-between the fantastic intro and outro that are...fine. There's a lot of conjecture on the part of the authors with things like "We don't know what Richard Etheridge said here. but we'll go ahead and assume it was this: ..." Running through the entire history of the Civil War and the establishment of the LSS could have been expedited a bit. Plus, it didn't help that 60% of the people on the Outer Banks had the last name Etheridge, Midgett or Bowser, so keeping everyone straight was difficult.
This book probably hits like a truck if you're from the Outer Banks. Having not grown up there, I appreciate the effort from the authors to bring this story to light, but it just didn't 100% land for me.
On one hand, it's extremely well researched and written. Honoring the accomplishment and sacrifice of Richard Etheridge and the Pea Island lifesavers as the only black crew in the LSS is honorable and heartwarming. The book has a fantastic intro and outro.
On the other hand...there's about 250 pages in-between the fantastic intro and outro that are...fine. There's a lot of conjecture on the part of the authors with things like "We don't know what Richard Etheridge said here. but we'll go ahead and assume it was this: ..." Running through the entire history of the Civil War and the establishment of the LSS could have been expedited a bit. Plus, it didn't help that 60% of the people on the Outer Banks had the last name Etheridge, Midgett or Bowser, so keeping everyone straight was difficult.
This book probably hits like a truck if you're from the Outer Banks. Having not grown up there, I appreciate the effort from the authors to bring this story to light, but it just didn't 100% land for me.
May 25, 2020
I have vague memories of purchasing this book from a sale bin somewhere and thinking, for a few bucks, it might be an interesting read. It turned out to be a great bargain!
The subject is well-researched and the writing is concise and clear, accessible to those of us without much knowledge of sailing ships or Outer Banks geography & history. The story of the Life-Saving Service is fascinating, albeit brief, and you can’t help but feel respect for the men (and their families) who dedicated themselves to this service. Toss in the extending prejudices of slavery, war, Reconstruction, and Plessy v. Ferguson, and the Men of Station 17 are superheroes.
Perhaps my only disappointment is the long section the authors dedicate to Civil War history. I understand the relevance but felt I could have benefited with a fraction of that information to maintain the momentum of the book’s primary focus.
The subject is well-researched and the writing is concise and clear, accessible to those of us without much knowledge of sailing ships or Outer Banks geography & history. The story of the Life-Saving Service is fascinating, albeit brief, and you can’t help but feel respect for the men (and their families) who dedicated themselves to this service. Toss in the extending prejudices of slavery, war, Reconstruction, and Plessy v. Ferguson, and the Men of Station 17 are superheroes.
Perhaps my only disappointment is the long section the authors dedicate to Civil War history. I understand the relevance but felt I could have benefited with a fraction of that information to maintain the momentum of the book’s primary focus.
February 3, 2022
I picked this book up because my heart belongs to the Outer Banks and I was fascinated by the idea of the all-black lifesaving station crew. I never got to that part. This book is a biography of Richard Etheridge and the author goes into great detail about his life. I couldn't make it past the Civil War. This is not to say that the book isn't good. I just couldn't take the detail right now (I felt compelled to look up every battle scene in Google maps, for example). This is the kind of book that one needs time to savor and delve into deeply. Unfortunately, I don't have the time now. Some day I'll buy this book and find out about Mr. Etheridge and his Pea Island Lifesavers. I'm sure it's a tale worth knowing
August 29, 2024
Interesting story of the US Lifesaving Service in the 1880s and 1890s along the Pea Island area of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The book focuses on the life of Richard Etheridge, born a slave, liberated, and joined the Union Army in the Civil War. Etheridge had been raised by a white family that taught him to read and write and thus he emerged as a leader in his Union Army battalion. Several chapters of this book give Etheridge’s background story. Those Army leadership experiences enabled him to lead the only all-Black lifesaving crew in the nation during those years. Detailed retellings of some of the storms, shipwrecks , and rescues Etheridge and his crew endured are very well done.
September 8, 2022
Was hoping for a better history of the station, but this fell short for me. Far too much about his experiences in the Civil War for example, and not nearly enough about the station and its history. I understand there is likely little in the way of primary source material, but it just felt very forced. Would be better understand as an overview of NC live saving stations and general life in the LSS during the period.
April 5, 2025
An in-depth look at the men who saved lives during storms and hurricanes off the coast of North Carolina. Their courage and strength were incredible. Also an enlightening view of being Black -- as a slave, as a soldier in the Civil War, and as a postwar victim of continued racism and "separate but equal."
August 8, 2019
I was ignorant of the history of the Life-Saving Service. I’m glad I stumbled upon this at a thrift store, rich of history and follows a narrative of one the surfmen and the struggles he faced. Great read! The authors worked hard to write it exactly how Richard Ethridge lived.
March 27, 2022
I highly recommend this book. Richard Etheridge and his LifeSaving Service crew have largely been forgotten. This is history that I truly knew nothing of. Everyone should know about his history and the heroic men who worked with him.
April 28, 2025
Great book. About the story of Life Saving Services with a all black crew and the difficulties that face on saving scores of people from grounded ships. Plus the problems of being an all black crew, that did not get all the respect that they deserved.
June 21, 2023
Incredible story, well written and engaging. Read this book.
October 10, 2024
Most interesting story and history of devotion and commitment of African Americans striving to hold their place in history.
August 22, 2016
I had not been aware of the Life Saving Service. This group operated along the eastern coast of the US in the late 1800s and was a precursor group to the coast guard. The men who staffed these stations made sacrifices being away from their families and facing life risks in a daily basis.
This book describes the Pea Island station that was staffed by an all black crew. Their bravery and success in saving lives in the face of the horrific racism they lived through is a testament to their strength.
This book describes the Pea Island station that was staffed by an all black crew. Their bravery and success in saving lives in the face of the horrific racism they lived through is a testament to their strength.
September 17, 2015
This is such a fascinating story and Wright did a really good job of providing some interesting background I had not heard about (I work at a Life-Saving Station museum so I was familiar with the Pea Island story). I was glad to find this book to learn more.
November 28, 2010
Awesome!
November 8, 2010
This book is a very interesting look at the making of the Coast Guard, gives a great insight of the south at a time of great change including the civil war. What a great group of brave men!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews