The Remarkable True Story of the Acquisition of “Mervin F. Roberts”
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WILSSA Night at Gundalow will include a 25-minute documentary by Jim White (www.sprucecreektv.com) — “The Acquisition of the Mervin Roberts”, one of 110 surf boats built in 1937 and the last of that group which still floats. How it came to be found and restored after more than 8 decades by the Wood Island Life Saving Station Association (WILSSA) is the subject of the documentary video. In addition, WILSSA President Sam Reid will provide an update of the renovation of the Wood Island Life Saving Station and discuss the timetable for the island to be open to the public this summer. The Station has stood watch for 112 years, home to brave “surfmen” who were part of the US Life Saving Service (a forerunner of the US Coast Guard), who would wait with small rowing boats to go out to help mariners in distress in terrible conditions year round.
