Posted on Sunday, Jul. 16, 2006

Land rush may cost locals their harbor

By Jay Price

Half a century ago, seven families donated rights to a few acres so the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers could dig a harbor in this fishing village. The harbor was to be used by "the boat owners of the people of Marshallberg, and any and all other boat owners," according to a 1956 deed.

The long, rectangular basin came to define Marshallberg, a hamlet in Carteret County east of Beaufort, where many residents still pull a living from the water. The community club that oversees the harbor is the closest thing to a government, which is fine by locals, who don't care much for authority.

They use boats like city folk use cars, and in an era when slips can cost $100,000 or more, they're glad to have a free harbor.