Monument to the Lost Pilots of Smithville and the 100th Anniversary of the Wilmington Cape Fear Pilots Association Pt. 2

Southport Historical Society > Uncategorized > Monument to the Lost Pilots of Smithville and the 100th Anniversary of the Wilmington Cape Fear Pilots Association Pt. 2

 

The Remembrance of the Lost Pilots of Smithville and the 100th Anniversary of the Wilmington Cape Fear River Pilots was a big success. The ceremony was heart-warming and well-attended. SHS Board Member Mary Ellen Watts Poole, sister of retired River Pilot Capt. Basil Watts, was Master of Ceremony. She shared the history of the Lost Pilots of Smithville and how the monument came to be.  

 

Scout Troops #238 and #1776, Scout Leaders George Brake & Erik Hedblom presented the Colors and led the Pledge of Allegience.

Thomas J. Harrelson, Great-grandson of Thomas Washington Brinkman, 1872 Lost Pilot gave the prayer.

Mayor Joe Pat Hatem gave a welcome from the city.

Soloist Cindy Sellers sang Peace Be Still, the same hymn that was performed at the original memorial service in 1879. 
Mary Ellen closed out the solemn commemorative portion of the event and skillfully moved the participants on to the joyful portion, celebrating 100 years of the Wilmington Cape Fear Pilots Association.
Mary Ellen explained some of the Pilot’s traditions, including the significance of the color magenta to the pilots, using her beautiful scarf and gloves as visual aid.
Capt. Tommy Brendle gave a moving speech thanking all of those who had helped the association and giving insight into the differences between the job of a River Pilot 100 years ago and today.
SHS President Bob Surridge presented the River Pilots Association with the five volume Chronology of Southport’s history written by historian Bill Reaves. 
Debbie Mollycheck presented Tommy and the Mayor a copy of her publication on the 100 year history of the Wilmington- Cape Fear River Pilots Association.

At the end of the ceremony, the crowd moved to the Old Smithville Burying Ground where soloist Cindy Sellers sang the US Navy hymn “Eternal Father, Strong to Save”. Capt. Tommy Brendle, Senior Pilot and Daniel Dixon, Senior Pilot Boat Operator, Wilmington – Cape Fear Pilots Association placed a wreath at the base of the monument. Following the service, many attendees laid their own flowers on the monument as well. (photo at top of post) 

Click the link below to see the video of the ceremony at the Old Smithville Burying Ground below: 

Commemoration of the Monument to the Lost Pilots of Smithville. 

 

 

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