The No. 1 surfman is Walter C. Bloomer. He was born in Chatham in
1867, and has been in the life-saving service for five years. Surfman
Bloomer was a “Monomoy” fisherman, boatman, and wrecker before entering
the service. When he joined the service he was assigned to the Brant
Rock Station, where he remained three years, being transferred to this
station. At this station, under the late Captain Eldredge, he saw much
active service and proved himself a fearless and skilful surfman. On
the occasion of the terrible Monomoy disaster, when his keeper and
six of his comrades lost their lives, Surfman Bloomer was doing cook
duty, and remained at the station. He married Velma Stevens, and is the
father of two girls and two boys.
The No. 2 surfman is Thomas H. Kane. He was born in Manchester, N. H.,
in 1870, and has been in the life-saving service four years. Surfman
Kane followed the sea from the time he was fifteen years of age until
he entered the life-saving service. He was a “grand banker,” a mackerel
fisherman, and had a wide and varied experience on the water. He was a
member of the Rockport Life-Saving crew, and was with Captain Charles
at the Orleans Station for one year. Surfman Kane joined the Monomoy
Station, to fill a vacancy caused by the death of one of the crew who
perished with Captain Eldredge at the Monomoy disaster.
He is an expert boatman, a brave and hardy surfman. He married Sarah
Whellock, and is the father of a daughter and son.
The No. 3 surfman is Edwin A. Studley. He was born in North Harwich in
1864, and has been in the life-saving service for two years, one year
at the Orleans Station and one year at this station. Surfman Studley
followed the sea since he was a boy. For several years he was a member
of the crew of the Pollock Rip Lightship, and later he joined the crew
of the Shovelful Lightship. He was also a sailor in the coastwise
trade, and engaged in boating and fishing along the Chatham shores for
several years. He is an efficient boatman and a fearless life saver. He
married Alice Phillips, and is the father of a son.
[Illustration:
Standing: GEORGE CAHOON. WALTER F. WIXON.
Seated: THOMAS H. KANE. WALTER BLOOMER. CAPTAIN ELLIS.
SURFMAN RESIGNED. EDWIN A. STUDLEY.