The U.S. Life-Saving Service had two stations on the peninsula.

ILWACO, Wash. — Before the U.S. Coast Guard, there was the U.S. Life-Saving Service. Cape Disappointment State Park Interpretive Specialist Stephen Wood will discuss the origins of the Coast Guard in his talk “Storm Warriors: The United States Live-Saving Service” at the next Salty Talks lecture.

The talk will take place at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 3 upstairs at the Salt Hotel & Pub, located at 147 Howerton Ave. The event is free and open to the public.

The program will include a history of the U.S. Life-Saving Service, focusing on the local significance of this short-lived federal agency. With historical photos and anecdotes, Wood will provide a glimpse into the lives of “surfmen” as they served at the Cape Disappointment and Klipsan Beach Life-Saving Stations.

Wood has worked for Washington State Parks for 10 years, previously serving parks in the Westport/Grayland area before moving to Cape Disappointment eight years ago. At Cape D, Wood is responsible for coordinating volunteers at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, North Head Lighthouse and Fort Columbia. The Waikiki Beach Concert Series also falls under his purview.

Salty Talks are hosted by the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum in partnership with the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, the Lewis & Clark National Park Association, and the Salt Hotel & Pub.