August 30, 2019
Ernie Eldredge (USN) presents his cousin Rebecca Locklear with their great-grandfather’s U.S. Life-Saving Service patch.
Ernest “Skipper” Eldredge was a surfman who helped rescue crew and passengers on stranded or sinking ships in Chatham, MA between 1898 and 1913. (The U.S. Life-Saving Service was the forerunner of the U.S. Coast Guard.) Both Ernie and Rebecca knew their grandfather when they were young. Rebecca was “honored and thrilled” and has a special place at home for the patch.
Rebecca’s new book for teachers and students is called, Exploring the U.S. Life-Saving Service: 17 Student Workshops with 120 Activities (for grades 4-12).
It can be found on Amazon, Teachers Pay Teachers (digitally) or from these local bookstores:
- Herringbone Books, OR
- Yellow Umbrella Books, MA
- Cape Cod National Seashore, MA
- Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum, MD
Explore early search and rescue!
