From 1938-1952 the Aleta operated as a privately owned mailboat from Ocracoke to Atlantic, North Carolina. The vessel traveled across Pamlico Sound at a speed of 8-10 miles per hour and took 3.5 hours to complete the journey one way. The Aleta left Ocracokes Silver Lake Harbor every morning at 6:30 am and returned at 4:30 pm carrying mail, freight, passengers, and even livestock. According to Captain George F. ONeal, who was interviewed for a News and Observer article in 1948, Why only last week... I carried three sheep to Atlantic from Ocracoke. I just tied them to the rail on the top of the passengers cabin and they didnt bother anybody. The Aleta, painted white and orange, was greeted each day by people on the docks who were either curious, expecting a delivery, or were there to welcome family or friends who traveled on the mailboat as passengers. The little mailboat served as a supply line for stores on Ocracoke and was a reliable link with the outside world. In 1944, a hurricane left the Aleta beached. She was repaired and continued mail service until 1952 when she was converted into a shrimp boat. Here you can see the storm-damaged Aleta in 1944 and the Aleta after conversion to a fishing vessel moored in front of the National Park Service Visitor Center on Ocracoke in 1957.
Posted on: Tue, 03 Jun 2014 16:00:01 +0000
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