Norwegian Freighter Ran Aground Back In 1941

Norwegian Freighter Ran Aground Back In 1941
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In a precursor to American involvement in World War II, the Norwegian freighter “Olaf Bergh” ran aground about 60 yards off the beach at 94th Street on March 7, 1941. The ship had been hugging the coastline to avoid German submarines that were lurking offshore.

The U.S. Coast Guard stationed in Ocean City quickly responded and rescued the crew by means of a breeches buoy. According to the late historian George Hurley, this was the last breeches buoy rescue ever made on the East Coast. A display on the breeches buoy can be seen at the Ocean City Life Saving Station Museum on the south end of the Boardwalk at the Inlet.

The ship remained stranded for several weeks until high tides from a storm floated her off.

Photo courtesy of the Ocean City Life Saving Station Museum