Pea Island facts for kids
Pea Island is a special place located along the Outer Banks of North Carolina. It's part of a group of narrow, sandy islands called barrier islands. These islands are always changing, with sand moving and new water passages (called inlets) opening and closing. Pea Island has sometimes been connected to its neighbors, Bodie Island or Hatteras Island, and sometimes it has been separate. It's famous for being home to the Pea Island Life-Saving Station, which had the first all-African-American crew in the U.S. Coast Guard. Today, it's also a safe home for many animals at the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge.
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Pea Island: A Dynamic Coastal Gem
What Are Barrier Islands?
Barrier islands are long, narrow islands made of sand. They form along coastlines and act like a natural shield. They protect the mainland from strong ocean waves, storms, and tides. These islands are constantly reshaped by the wind and water. This means their size and shape can change over time.
How Pea Island Was Formed and Changed
Pea Island's history is a story of shifting sands and changing waters. It became a separate island when two new water passages, called inlets, opened up. The first was New Inlet in 1738. The second was Oregon Inlet in 1846. These inlets separated Pea Island from the nearby land.
Over the years, Pea Island sometimes reconnected with Hatteras Island. This happened many times between 1922 and 1945. The narrow New Inlet would open and close as sand moved around. From 1945 until 2011, Pea Island was actually just the northern part of Hatteras Island.
Then, in 2011, Hurricane Irene was a very powerful storm. It reopened the New Inlet, making Pea Island separate again. However, the island has since reconnected with Hatteras Island once more. This shows how much barrier islands can change!
The Brave Crew of Pea Island Life-Saving Station
Pea Island is also famous for its Pea Island Life-Saving Station. This station was part of the U.S. Life-Saving Service. This service later became the U.S. Coast Guard. What made this station truly special was its crew. It was the first U.S. Life-Saving Station to have an all-African-American crew.
The station was led by Captain Richard Etheridge. He was a brave and skilled leader. His crew performed many daring rescues. They saved countless lives from shipwrecks along the dangerous coast. Their courage and dedication are an important part of American history.
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
Since 1937, Pea Island has been home to the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge is a protected area. It provides a safe place for many different kinds of wildlife. It's especially important for migratory birds. These birds travel long distances and need safe places to rest and feed.
The refuge covers about 11 miles of the island. It includes beaches, dunes, and marshlands. Many types of birds, like ducks, geese, and wading birds, live here. You might also see sea turtles nesting on the beaches. The refuge helps protect these animals and their natural homes. It's a great example of how we can help nature thrive.
