
First Wave: Richard Etheridge and His Crew of Black “Surfmen” Prove Themselves on a Heroic Night
By Bridgette A. Lacy When Richard Etheridge peered out of the tower of the Pea Island Lifesaving Station that he commanded, he could hardly see for the blinding storm, what we would call a hurricane today. That Sunday night in October 1896 was going to be cold and long. Strong northeast winds whipped around the


