"Along North Carolina's coastline is a land barrier known as the Outer Banks. For many years people who have lived there pursued the dangerous profession of commercial fishing. Others flock to the Outer Banks to enjoy the beautiful beaches. There is great beauty on the Outer Banks, but sailors know the other reputation of the region: "The Graveyard of the Atlantic." The sea floor on and near the Banks are strewn with shipwrecks along with hundreds of deaths. All of this eventually led the United States government to seek ways to try to stop the carnage. One of the ways would eventually become the U.S.

Coast Guard. The history of the Banks is replete with tales of heroism, and death. James D. Charlet has gathered a very good selection of some of these events. Those who are interested in the sea and dramatic sea rescues will find much of interest in Shipwrecks of the Outer Banks: Dramatic Rescues and Fantastic Wrecks in the Graveyard of the Atlantic.".