LSS Manasquan- Preserved Traditional Geocache
GeoMedic: Construction at site prohibits replacing cache. Archive it for now. GeoMedic
ge
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(small)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Easy to find. Nice information to know. Small camo screw top. BRING YOUR OWN PEN. Be very careful of curious dog walking muggles. Lots of area activity, even in winter.
Squan Beach Life Saving Station has recently been approved as a N.J. Historic and Maritime landmark site, making it eligible for preservation funding. The events causing this to be historic are of interest to know:
In the early 1800's, the shipping traffic began to increase passing by the 127 miles of N.J. coastline, especially in and out of NYC. Shipwrecks became numerous and there was a need for life saving. In 1848, the U.S. Life Saving Service was created, an idea of NJ Congressman, William A. Newell who had witnessed a shipwreck and recognized the nation's lack of preparedness. This Station in Manasquan was the first of 8 planned for the coast between Sandy Hook and Egg Harbor.
The Station was built "1000 feet from the Atlantic Ocean and on the north side of Ocean Avenue between First and Second Avenues" as the history books report. This "duluth style" facility served to house volunteers and equipment used to rescue victims of shipwrecks. Stations built were one of two types- life saving or houses of refuge. Part of the equipment were "surfboats", able to be moved from one station to another, and launched from the beach.
In 1850, the first noted large shipwreck of the Scotish Ayrshire tested this service for Squan Beach and 201 people were saved by the volunteers.
The present station, built in 1902, replaced two previous ones that were either destroyed in storms or inadequate for their service. The Stations included a boatroom, a tower, and living quarters for the "keeper" and his family, and a crew of 6 men.
In the 1930's the Service became part of the U,S, Coast Guard (see www.usgc.com/history for the list of all the "keepers".). It remained such until 1996 when it was decomissioned and in July, 2000 sold to Manasquan for $1.00. During that time it was used by the Coast Guard as a electronics facility. So, visit this cache and see what will soon be preserved in original state.
Please note interesting 9/15/2011 log below by owner.
Summer, 2012- The efforts of the volunteers in the area have finally preserved the old Life Saving Station and it is now open for business and obsrevation during limited hours. If interested, please make appt. to see interior. More improvements planned with ongoing effort.
136 people have visited and signed log as of this date. Thank you all so far for your efforts.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Jung qbrf gur RFZG zrna ba gur fvta?