Jimmy Courson Coast Guard armada in Bellhaven, NC

Item: Found in the book Signs and Wonders - Outside Art Inside North Carolina is James W. Courson and his life long affinity for the Coast Guard working boats in the sounds and inland waterways of Eastern North Carolina. The Coast Guard part of the story caught my eye since my tour of duty at the nearby USCG Airstation in Elizabeth City forty years ago which made a nice match for our 40th. anniversary. Finding Jimmy in Belhaven, NC proved fortuitous since locals mentioned that he had a bout with cancer and had moved to another place with a suggestion to look for him on his bicycle. That is where we found him. Pedaling across the West End. Jimmy was not put off one bit and simply asked if we would like to see them and we followed him to his shop. He has had some problems with his health and lost an eye but none of his enthusiasm for his hobby and facts about his boats. It takes some practice to listen but Jimmy could talk about his collection as long as anyone would care to visit.

Jimmy takes his boats to the canal for testing and sea trials and this one appears to be an ice breaker with a helicopter landing pad on the stern.

Here is a wall full of these Coast Guard creations on the R.H. wall and some of his bicycles. More are found upstairs over the garage. Everything is neat and orderly.

Jimmy takes us inside to the Captains Quarters. More Coast Guard awaits that he calls his museum and a further model collection and recognition for his efforts along with the magazine and articles in books about him.

Then Jimmy trades hats and takes us to a back porch for his RR model railroad layout. This is a treat and the town that he built eclipses the train track layout. Too much fun for one lifetime.

Thank You - commandant of the James W. Courson Coast Guard armada and train layout world tour and I have a feeling that Jimmy and this passion are not done yet.