More than 6,000 ships have met their doom in the waters along the North Carolina coast, weaving a rich history of tragedy, drama, and heroics along these picturesque beaches. Men have lost their lives and fortunes and heroes have been made where the combination of mixing currents, treacherous coastline, and shifting underwater sandbars and shoals spells disaster for even the most seasoned of sailors. These are the stories of daring rescues, some tragic failures, enduring mysteries, and fascinating legends of America’s Forgotten Heroes.
REVIEWS BEST – LONG
Volume I: Shipwrecks of the Outer Banks: Dramatic Rescues and Fantastic Wrecks in the Graveyard of the Atlantic, Globe Pequot Press, ISBN 978-1-4930-3590-8, 2020, Library of Congress Control Number 2019953936, by James D. Charlet.
Celebrity Endorsements
Those shipwrecks and the stories around them are profound human stories with meaning. It is thanks to historians like James D. Charlet that these stories live on introduced to modern audiences with fresh perspectives and additional research that substantively builds on earlier works. I will always be fan of David Stick, whose landmark books on the Outer Banks remain on my shelves, but right next to them I will be placing Shipwreck Rescues of the Outer Banks as another go-to resource. Sit back, now, and explore what defined heroism of the best sort of the rugged and dangerous shores of the Graveyard of the Atlantic. ~ Dr. James Delgado, American maritime archaeologist, historian, maritime preservation expert, prolific author, and more.
Having lived on the Outer Banks for 70 years, I have heard many shipwreck stories, sometimes told by the very people who were living here at the time, but no one can capture your imagination like Keeper James. His passion for history and detail rings clear as he describes these true-life events. Tragedies that left both survivors and rescuers changed forever. When you open a James Charlet book, it’s like a curtain goes up in the theatre of your mind. ~ Ken Mann, Radio and TV Producer, including PBS series, “My Heart Will Always be in North Carolina” and “Ken’s Country Podcasts.” YouTube.
Amazon reader reviews: https://www.amazon.com/Shipwrecks-Outer-Banks-fantastic-Graveyard/dp/1493035908
Reader reviews for “Shipwrecks of the Outer Banks: Dramatic Rescues and Fantastic Wrecks” by James Charlet are overwhelmingly positive, with an average rating of 4.7/5 stars on platforms like Amazon. Readers describe the book as a “master storyteller” work that is hard to put down, offering in-depth, well-researched, and emotional accounts of maritime disasters and heroic rescues by the U.S. Life-Saving Service.
Compelling Storytelling: Reviewers praise Charlet for placing them directly into the action, often describing the narratives as thrilling and heartbreaking.
Highly Researched & Educational: The book is noted for its meticulous detail, providing valuable historical context about the “Graveyard of the Atlantic” and explaining technical nautical terms for, as one reviewer put it, “landlubbers”.
Focus on Heroism: A major theme highlighted by readers is the focus on the “angels in oil coats”—the ordinary men who performed superhuman acts of courage.
Perfect for Enthusiasts: It is frequently recommended for fans of maritime history, the Outer Banks, and the U.S. Coast Guard.
The book is described as a “must-read” for understanding the dangers of the North Carolina coast.
Editorial Reviews
James brings to life the U.S. Life-Saving Service: the heroes and shipwreck rescues activity off the North Carolina Outer Banks coast. The stories are based on official records of extraordinary rich history of tragedy of the 3,000+ ships that have met their doom in the waters along the North Carolina coast. The stories behind the shipwrecks illustrate the best and worst of mankind, showing courage and compassion. — Doug Stover, Retired Historian of Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
James Charlet has written an extraordinary account of the shipwrecks along the Outer Banks. From the earliest settlers through Blackbeard, colonial America and into the 21st century, he has captured the essence of why the Outer Banks is known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic. — Chris Wright, BMCM, USCG (ret); Surfman 309.
I have watched as James held his audiences spellbound, from small children to older adults, and this book does not disappoint. He does a masterful job weaving the history of the U.S. Life-Saving Service (now the U.S. Coast Guard), explaining why the Outer Banks of North Carolina are the “Graveyard of the Atlantic,” and recounting seemingly impossible rescues of passengers and crews of unfortunate ships foundering off the coast. — Martha Jackson, Chief Curator, Division of State Historic Sites and Properties, NC Dept. of Natural and Cultural Resources (ret).
James Charlet is one of America’s finest storytellers today. With experience as a historian, manager of the Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station, and a lifelong student of maritime legends, there is no better subject for him than the true stories of nightmarish shipwrecks along the notoriously dangerous North Carolina Coast. Shipwrecks of the Outer Banks offers in-depth looks at some of the most famous shipwrecks to date and what caused them. He puts the reader right there on board the distressed ship or in the life-saving surfboat with the angels in oil coats struggling to rescue their fellow mariners. Well-illustrated and peppered with fascinating behind-the-scenes explanations, this book is hard to put down. — Cheryl Shelton-Roberts, national author maritime history and lighthouses.
Keeper James methodically reveals his passion about the Lifesaving Service. I was amazed by his knowledge on this important piece of American History, and his diligent attention to the details. The 1918 rescue of the SS Mirlo’s crew in Chapter 3 stirred my excitement and almost brought me to tears. Such heroics exceed my imagination. Hat’s off to a master storyteller! —Lewis Forrest, Chair, Friends of the Outer Banks History Center, (ret).
… after two years of writing and editing day and night!, and with a beautiful and dramatic cover painting by noted American artist Gary Gowans. Each chapter is a tale told by a master storyteller of over 20 very well-known, not so well-known, and “you never heard of these” fabulous stories of real shipwrecks and the very real life-saving heroes of North Carolina’s Outer Banks that risked life and limb to rescue the souls onboard these ill-fated ships. – – John Havel, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse expert and author.
From my www.KeeperJames.com website
https://www.keeperjames.com/testimonials.html
Websites, Emails, Facebook, Etc.
Hello,
I purchased your book 2 days ago when visiting Cape Hatteras lighthouse on vacation with my family. The title was intriguing, the cover art was exceptional, and the cashier on duty recommended a signed copy of the book. I didn’t expect to get drawn in to the point of finishing the book on the 19-hour car ride home, but every self-encapsulated chapter was succinct and informative. I felt the need to reach out and thank you for educating and entertaining on the service of life saving individuals. Anon.
This book provided everything I was looking for when I selected it to read… James Charlet provided that experience. He is an expert on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and this professionally researched and written book provided some hours of enjoyable reading… This is a history book, it is an adventure book, it is tales of heroism and human courage, so what is not to like about such a book? Good Reads reader review by Bill Tress.
Sir, your mother was right; you are an incredible writer. I’ve already gotten about 80% through the book. When I drove over the Richard Ethridge bridge on the way to the airport, it had an entirely new meaning! Tossed up a salute as well. I may have already sold a few more copies thanks to me reading it with my jaw hanging open in the airport and people asking me why I was audibly gasping. Two people took pics of your business card with the book picture. I’m absolutely enthralled with it and struggled to put it down last night to get some much-needed rest. ~ Dustin Howard.
“I’ve never really believed in time travel – until I had the good fortune of meeting and listening to a presentation by James Charlet. I was transfixed for almost an hour, as this brave adventure unfolded before me – then I was left standing in silence, once again amongst my colleagues – speechless and in awe.” ~ Larry R. Warner, Director, North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island.
Volume II: Shipwreck Rescues of the Outer Banks: Sensational Wrecks and Heroic Rescues by the United States Life-Saving Service, Globe Pequot Publishing Group, ISBN 978-1-4930-8770-9, Library of Congress Control Number 2024038649 by James D. Charlet 2025.
Reviews forthcoming. Will be similar to the above.
Volume III: Coast Guard Rescues of the Outer Banks: Tales of Shipwrecks and Lifesavers from 1915-1940, ISBN 978-1-4930-9406-6, Library of Congress Control Number forthcoming, Globe Pequot Publishing Group sold internationally in partnership with Simon & Schuster, 2027, to be released April 2027.
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