The surfmen of the U.S. Life-Saving Service were real heroes who, through hurricanes and nor'easters, scanned the horizon for ships in distress and risked their lives to rescue shipwrecked mariners and passengers in both beach and sea rescues. During 40 years of service, from 1875 to 1915, four Life-Saving Stations operated on Assateague Island and responded to more than 250 incidents, with only two resulting in the loss of life.