A Look Back
By Fred Miller
1898—First city-paid lifeguards go on duty
1898—First captain of the lifeguards was Joseph P. Krauss
1901—Captain Krauss designed a rescue can that could hold six victims
1901—First Baby Parade held and the lifeguards led the parade
1907—Lifeguards Alread R. Smith and Dan Krauss rowed their boat in the first Night in Venice boat parade
1919—Six Ocean City lifeguards competed in the first South Jersey Lifeguard Swim in the Hygeia Pool in Atlantic City.
1920—First year Jack G. Jernee was captain of the lifeguards
1920—First year the lifeguards were called Ocean City Beach Patrol. Prior to 1920 they were called Ocean City Lifeguards.
1921—Lifeguard W. Ward Beam organized and led Ocean City’s first beach exercise class
1922—First time the lifeguards went on strike
1924—First time OCBP water show were held in the pool at the Flanders Hotel
1924—Gordon Sheppard and Lloyd Sheppard rowed in the first South Jersey Lifeguard Championship
1926—First time the OCBP won the South Jersey Lifeguard Swim Meet
1926—The OCBP received its first new ambulance—a Studebaker equip with the latest rescue equipment
1929—Huge swimming pool complex opens at the Flanders Hotel and the lifeguard’s gigantic water show began
