By Fred Miller
“FINE WORK BY BEACH GUARDS THIS SEASON” was the headline on the front page of the Ocean City Sentinel on September 29, 1921. The article reported, “The record made by the Ocean Beach Patrol for the season of 1921 was 100 per cent. That the guards were busy is shown by the report that 165 rescues were made.”
The article continued, “When it is taken into consideration that 27 men guarded 8 miles of beach and handled at least 70,000 bathers without a fatalitiy, Ocean City has a right to feel proud of Capatin Jack Jernee and his men.”
The article ended with a statement from Mayor Joseph G. Champion: “They made a wonderful record, and many bathers can thank the high standard of efficiency the men maintained in getting them out of tight places. That they came though with a perfect score, considering the crowds they handled, is a record that I am proud of.”
