[Illustration: CAPT. ALONZO N. BEARSE, KEEPER OF NAUSET STATION.]
Capt. Alonzo N. Bearse, keeper of the Nauset Life-Saving Station,
was born on Monomoy Point in 1842, and has been in the life-saving
service for nineteen years, three years as a surfman and sixteen as
keeper of this station. Born on Monomoy Island, within sight of the
dreaded shoals off Monomoy, as a boy he became familiar with boats and
boating, and witnessed the scenes of disaster that occurred along the
coast near his home. He quickly learned the art of handling boats in
rough water, and in launching and landing through the surf. He went
to sea at an early age, shipping on a coastwise schooner. Returning
from sea shortly after the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted in
the 43d Massachusetts Infantry, Company E, serving honorably with his
company for eleven months, his term of enlistment. During the time that
he was at the front he took part in the severe fighting at Kingston,
Whitehall, and Goldsboro. He escaped unhurt, however, and returned to
Cape Cod, and again went to sea. He had a wide and varied experience as
mariner, fisherman, and boatman, and was well qualified for the work
of a surfman when he joined the Nauset Station crew, under Captain
Knowles, whom he subsequently succeeded as keeper.
Captain Bearse labors diligently to maintain a high standard of
efficiency among his crew, and is a careful and fearless warrior of
the sea. Numerous disasters have occurred within the precincts of
the Nauset Station since he has been in command, and many have been
averted, owing to the vigilance of his surfmen.
He was twice married, his present wife was Cordelia Ellis, and he is
the father of three children.