The Merrimack Humane Society, like its sister organization The Massachusetts Humane Society, was one of the first organizations to establish and supply early “Life Saving Stations” in the United States and from their very beginning awarded “Premiums“ for acts of heroism involving the saving of life at sea and along the Northern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire Coast. Even after the establishment of the U.S. Life Saving Service in the post Civil War years, the Merrimack Humane Society continued to provide support and equipment to its members who constituted a “coastal volunteer crew” as well as maintaining “shelter huts” along deserted stretches of the coast of Plum Island for the use of shipwreck victims who has washed ashore far from human habitations. Besides providing equipment and training of volunteer Life-Saving crews along the Massachusetts coast, the Humane Society awarded Life Saving Medals and cash “Premiums” to those who risked their own lives to help passengers and crewmembers of shipwrecks in their area.

The considerations which led to the original institution of the Merrimack Humane Society, more than three-quarters of a century ago, are stated in its charter to be “promoting the cause of humanity by pursuing such means from time to time as shall have for their object the preservation of human life and the alleviation of its miseries,” and are more fully set forth in the pamphlet published by the society at the time of its formation.

The Society was organized on the 10th of Aug., 1802,

Application was subsequently made to the Legislature for an act of incorporation, and this was granted on the 7th of March, 1804, and is still in force.

BEACONS, SIGNALS. &c,

“The Society have erected five beacons along the coast of Plum Island , indicating the direction to the nearest places of shelter.

A cannon has been placed in charge of the keeper of the Light. house, which is kept in readiness to give the alarm at night in the event of any disaster on the beach; and if in the daytime, a white .flag with black ball in the centre, the signal of distress will be hoisted at the flagstaff, which the Society has erected near the Light-houses.

A superior life-boat in good order is stationed at Plum Island near the lighthouses, and a small boat near Frog Pond, to be used in cases of disaster.

A chest of clothing to supply the wants of shipwrecked seamen bas been placed in the care of Mr. Emerson at the Farm House on the Bluffs, and one also at Mr. Stevens’s half-way house on Plum Island.

Grappling irons have been deposited near the Essex Merrimack bridge in care of Dr. Hixon; at Paul A. Merrill’s store, 171 Merrimac street ; at the office of the draw-tender of the Newburyport bridge; at Isaac Poor’s store, 93 Water street ; and a sweep and two gaffs at the police station in the Market House.

The committee appointed to enquire into the condition of the Life Saving Property belonging to the Society, have recently examined it. They report that they have caused to be made a list of the same, and where it is placed, and that it is all in order and in good working condition, and that no further outlay will be required upon it for some time to come….”