 In 1891 , guests at the new hotel watched the wreck and rescue efforts of the United States Life @-@ Saving Service for the Norwegian bark Dictator . The ship 's figurehead , which washed up on the beach several days later , was erected as a monument to the victims and rescuers . It stood along the oceanfront for more than 50 years . In the 21st century , it inspired the pair of matching Norwegian Lady Monuments , sculpted by Ørnulf Bast and installed in Virginia Beach and Moss , Norway . 
