[Illustration: CAPT. GEORGE H. BICKERS, KEEPER OF WOOD END STATION.]
Capt. George H. Bickers, keeper of the Wood End Life-Saving Station,
was born in Charlestown, Mass., in 1858. He has been in the life-saving
service for eleven years, ten as a surfman at Race Point and one as
keeper of the Wood End Station. After leaving school, when a young
boy, Captain Bickers shipped before the mast on a coasting schooner.
He followed coasting for a few years, when he went whaling. As a
whaleman he learned the art of handling boats in riotous waters as
well as seamanship in all its branches. Captain Bickers followed
the sea until he was thirty-three years of age, when he entered the
life-saving service, being assigned to the Race Point Station under
Capt. “Sam” Fisher. From his experience as a sailor and whaleman he
was well fitted for the duties of a life saver. He remained a member of
the Race Point crew until the death of Capt. Isaac G. Fisher, keeper
of the Wood End Station, when he was appointed to fill the vacancy.
Captain Bickers enjoyed an enviable record as a surfman, and has made
a record since being keeper of the Wood End Station that places him
in the front rank of life savers. One disaster followed another near
his station soon after he assumed command, yet not a life was lost,
and nearly every craft was saved from destruction by his brave and
vigilant crew. But one mishap has occurred since Captain Bickers took
charge of the station, the capsizing of the surf-boat while going to a
wrecked fishing vessel. The crew quickly righted their boat, bailed her
out, went to the wreck, and saved the craft from destruction. Captain
Bickers has a crew of skilled and fearless life savers who are ever
ready to obey his commands.
He married Abbie L. Cahoon, and is the father of a son.