Staff Person: Jon Dembo
This digital image shows two sailing vessels, the CONSTITUTION of Manteo and the ETNER of New Bern, in the waters of Pamlico Sound, North Carolina. The ETNER, the two-masted vessel to starboard, may be in some difficulty or have an injured or sick crewman. Her sails have been hauled in rather clumsily, she is flying a flag at half-mast, and she is tied to the CONSTITUTION by several lines. Both ships appear to have African American crews. The donor, Coast Guard Historian Jeffrey L. Bowdoin, believes that the image was taken from the Coast Guard Cutter KANKAKEE, during the summer of 1921. The KANKAKEE may have been attempting to provide assistance at the time.
The image was made from one of two 3.5″ x 5″ black and white negatives in the U. S. Coast Guard Historian’s Office Collection. Researchers may access the U. S. Coast Guard Historian’s Office Collection (#1041.1.a) through the Special Collections Department Search Desk on the 4th Floor of Joyner Library.
If anyone can provide additional information concerning the ships, crews, or situation shown in the image, please contact the Special Collections Department at (252) 328-6671.