This Day in Coast Guard History – Nov 3

883-The keeper and crew of the Smith’s Island Station, Virginia (Fifth District), saw a small schooner flying a signal near Isaac Shoal, five miles away from the station. They went out to her and found on board the captain of a sloop that wrecked the night before several miles from land. He had succeeded in swimming to a bar near the beach, where he was picked up by the crew of the schooner. Finding him suffering from exposure they signaled for assistance. The lifesaving crew applied bottles of hot water and resuscitated him. They then landed him in the surfboat and cared for him for six days until he was sent to his home.

1997- The Coast Guard announced plans to disconnect 18 fog signals, including nine along Lake Michigan's eastern shore, leading to a large public outcry that led the service to reconsider its plans.

(Source: USCG Historian’s Office)