The Tools of a keeper/ The Construction of a lighthouse/ U.S. Lighthouse history/ Colonial History/ Light House Diagram and layout/ The Lens/ Pharos one of the 7th wonders of the world/
U.S. History [The Lighthouse Board/Architects/Engineers] 1700's 1800's
Famous Generals Keeper's of the Light
Lighthouse Keepers HEROE'S especially women. I Thank God for Women for they step into the gap so many times and help "make a difference"
Lighthouse work included many routine, repetitive tasks, often in remote, lonely locations. This special, even vital, humanitarian work took dedication and self-sufficiency to accomplish. On occassion it called for personal bravery as well. Lighthouse keepers and lightship crews often knew of colleagues who had lost their lives to ice, tsunamis, and colossal storms. Yet these men and women perservered. A few risked their own lives to save others in peril, rescuing mariners and shore-side visitors from thin ice, storms, shipwrecks and other disasters. Some keepers would perform these acts of heroism many times over. Though most of these actions are not remembered today, at the time the federal government saw fit to present exceptionally brave keepers with gold or silver lifesaving medals. The actions of a few of these extraordinary individuals are recounted here.
In 1885, keeper Marcus A. Hanna risked his life to save the stranded crew of the schooner Australia, which smashed into a ledge during a snow storm near Cape Elizabeth Light Station off the coast of Maine. The ship’s captain was washed away and drowned, while two of the ship hands waited as Marcus Hanna repeatedly tried to throw them a line. He succeeded in pulling one man to safety and nearly rescued the other man entirely unaided, when the assistant keeper and neighbors arrived to help. Marcus Hanna was awarded a Gold Lifesaving Medal for his valiant efforts. Thomas J. Steinhise, keeper of Seven Foot Knoll Light Station in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, received a silver medal for rescuing six crew members of a sinking tug boat during a severe nor’easter in 1933. As waves crashed over the light station’s small boat, Steinhise pulled the men to safety. Canada expressed gratitude to Maine lighthouse keepers on at least two occasions. Moose Peak Light Station keeper C. R. Dobbins accepted a gold watch after saving the shipwrecked crew of the British schooner Ashton. Near Cuckholds light Station in 1896, C. E. Marr and E. H. Pierce saved the schooner Aurora’s captain and crew from drowning in icy waters. Both keepers were given silver watches.
Lighthouse keeper positions were not entirely reserved for men. Women also served as assistant keepers and keepers under the direction of the Lighthouse Board, the Lighthouse Service, and the United States Coast Guard. In several instances, women succeeded their fathers or husbands as keepers, providing for mariners the same valuable services and risking their lives in the line of duty. Abbie Burgess Grant, Idawalley Zorada Lewis, and Katherine Walker are a few of the well-known examples of courageous, female lighthouse keepers that exhibited extraordinary acts of heroism. From 1854 to 1875, Abbie Burgess Grant served as assistant keeper at Matinicus Rock Light Station on desolate Matinicus Rock, an isolated, rocky island some 15 miles off the coast of Maine. Abbie moved to Matinicus Rock with her family, following her father’s appointment as keeper in 1853. Captain Samuel Burgess taught 17-year-old Abbie to fill the lanterns atop the twin towers with oil, trim the wicks, and clean the lenses. He soon felt comfortable enough to leave her in charge for several days while he journeyed to the mainland for supplies. In 1856, Captain Burgess set out on a similar trip, at which timeone of the largest storms of the nineteenth century hit Matinicus Rock. The storm raged for about one month, as Abbie independently tended the lights in addition to caring for her sick mother and siblings. Abbie Burgess kept Matinicus Light until she married Isaac Grant moved to Whitehead Light Station in 1875, where she served as keeper for over fifteen years. The U.S. Coast Guard later honored her by naming a Keeper Class buoy tender Abbie Burgess (WLM-553).
Idawally (Ida) Zorada Lewis unofficially acted as the keeper of Lime Rock Light Station in Rhode Island from 1857 to 1879, after her father became ill and could no longer perform his lighthouse keeper duties. He died in 1872, at which time Ida’s mother was appointed the official keeper until Ida took over the position in 1879. Ida Lewis is credited with saving 18 lives throughout the years at Lime Rock. In 1881, the Lighthouse Board presented Ida Lewis with a gold lifesaving medal for one of her courageous efforts during an incident at Lime Rock Lighthouse. Two soldiers attempted to walk across a thin layer of ice on Newport Harbor. Ida Lewis quickly responded to their calls after the ice gave way near the lighthouse, single-handedly dragging one man out of the water. Her brother arrived on the scene and assisted with the rescue of the second man. Ida Lewis served her post at Lime Rock until 1911 and was widely celebrated for her bravery. She received numerous awards as a result including gold and silver medals from a variety of organizations, a life pension from Carnegie Foundation, a silver yoke and boat hook from Narragansett Boat Club, a lifeboat from the people of Newport, gold-plated oarlocks from Jay Gould, and a new boathouse from Jim Fisk. At the time of Ida Lewis’ retirement, Rhode Island legislature changed the name of the island on which the lighthouse stood from Lime Rock to Ida Lewis Rock. The Lighthouse Service subsequently changed the name of the light station as well.
At Robbins Reef Light Station , an off-shore structure located between Manhattan and Staten Island, New York, Katherine (Katie) Walker maintained the light after her husband died of pneumonia in 1886. His last words to his wife were reportedly, “Mind the light, Katie.” When she officially applied for the appointment, the government initially objected, since she only stood 4 feet and 10 inches tall and weighed a mere 100 pounds. Several men rejected the position due to the remote location of the light station and Katie Walker was eventually hired. She served as keeper at Robbins Reef Light Station from 1894 to 1919, retiring at age 73. By her own admission, Katie Walker rescued about 50 people, mostly fishermen. Although she never received a lifesaving medal, the U.S. Coast Guard christened a Keeper Class buoy tender Katherine Walker (WLM-522) in her honor.
Countless lives were saved through the valiant efforts of brave and dutiful lighthouse keepers under the U.S. lighthouse establishment. In 1939, the Lighthouse Service was merged with the U.S. Coast Guard, which assumed all duties related to aids to navigation. Advancements in radio and radar developed during World War II and the postwar period decreased the role of light stations and thus lighthouse keepers. In the mid-1960s, the Lighthouse Automation and Modernization Program (LAMP) began further eliminating the need for resident personnel with fewer than 60 light stations retaining keepers. By 1990, every functioning light station except for Boston Harbor Light was automated. An act of Congress ensures that this light will remain "manned" as a testament to the hundreds of men and women who served the lighthouse establishment.
Early Colonial U. S. Lighthouses
Boston Harbor Light (1716) - The first colonial lighthouse was established in 1716, on Little Brewster Island, on Boston Harbor in Massachusetts. Duties were collected from vessels based on the type of ship. Due to the Revolutionary war, the British blew the tower up as they retreated from Boston in June 1776. A new tower was built on its base in 1783.
Brant Point Light (1746) - The second lighthouse built in the U.S. A small lighthouse was established on Brant point on the south side of Nantucket Harbor. A fire destroyed it twelve years later , but it was rebuilt in 1759. In 1774, the light was blown down and was replaced again. Nine years later, it burnt down. A even smaller light was built in 1783 but was insufficient and replaced. And can you believe it, another storm took this light two years later.
Tybee Island Light (?) - Considered the third lighthouse in the U.S. on Tybee Island, the outermost of the coastal islands. When constructed the first tower stood 90 feet tall. Several years later a storm toppled it. Another tower was erected and stood until Revolution when sea erosion took the tower. A brick tower was erected in 1771.
Beavertail Light (1749) - Southern tip of Conanicut Island in Narragansett Bay. This light was authorized by Rhode Island in 1738 but not built until 1749. Sixty-four feet tall rubble stone tower stood until 1856.
New London Light (1760) - Fifth Lighthouse in the U.S. constructed on the west side of New London Harbor entrance. Replaced in 1801 by a stone tower.
Sandy Hook Light (1764) - Only colonial lighthouse that has survived until today! Located in New Jersey, New York merchants financed cost through two lotteries. Dues supported this light until the USLHS took it over.
Cape Henlopen Light (1767) - Located at the entrance to Delaware Bay. Lighthouse built due to Pennsylvania businessmen. Unfortunately, this light was constructed on sand & a storm washed the sand from under the tower in 1929.
Charleston (Morris Island) Light (1767) - Light established by South Carolina colonial government on Morris island at entrance to Charleston Harbor. Light stood many years after the Civil War.
Plymouth Light (1769) - Light established by Massachusetts legislature located on Gurnet Point at the entrance to Plymouth Bay. This small light was twenty feet high, twenty feet long, fifteen feet wide and at each end were placed a lantern containing two lamps.
Portsmouth Light (1771) - Wooden lighthouse located at the Portsmouth, New Hampshire harbor. Another wooden structure replaced this light in 1804.
Cape Ann Light (1771) - Considered the eleventh & last of the colonial lighthouses. Located on Thatcher's Island at Cape Ann on the northern side of Massachusetts Bay. To give the lighthouse a distinctiveness construction of two towers each forty-feet high were built. During the Revolutionary War the keeper was forced out by local people and the light were out through out the war. Relit after the war, this structure stood until 1861 when they were replaced.
Colonial and Early U.S. Lighthouse Management
Early Colonial
Shipments from England and other European countries were a necessity for the early American colonies. Aids to navigation were not permanent structures in Colonial America, instead bonfires, lanterns or other means were used to guide ships. Unfortunately, no one wanted to spend money on lighthouses, since generally only merchants profited from them.
Prior to 1776 only ten additional lighthouses were built, due to considerable pressure from maritime merchants on local governments who usually bore the cost and construction of these early lights. 1783, After the Revolutionary War, states retained responsibility of lighthouse maintenance and construction. Then in 1789 Federal authority over lighthouses was established. General revenues were used to maintain lighthouses instead of duties from vessels.
Each of the thirteen colonies were responsible for its own aids to navigation during the colonial period. Businessmen and local authorities built lighthouses to satisfy local merchants. The entire lighthouse system was inadequate and majority of existing lighthouses were poorly constructed.
United States Lighthouse Service, Bureau and Coast Guard
Lighthouses under the United States Lighthouse Service
By 1852 there were 331 lighthouses and 42 lightships.
US Lighthouse Cap emblem.
On October 9 1852, Congress created the nine member board. Thus, the United States Light House Service (USLHS) was established and took responsibility of existing lighthouse system.
The Country was re-divided into twelve lighthouse districts where a naval inspector was appointed in each district. The inspector inspected each light every three months and reported any deficiencies or repairs needed. As time went on each district also had an army engineer officer who supervised the building and repair of lighthouses and ships.
Central depots were set up for distribution of supplies to stations and vessels. Depots were eventually established in each district and lighthouse tenders or rails were used to carry construction materials and supplies.
Under the Lighthouse Board a significant number of improvements were made to lighthouses. fog signals, buoys, and lightships in the lighthouse system. Board put emphasis on the location of lighthouses and established stringent light keeper duties and guidelines. Board was willing to experiment with new equipment, lighting and fuels.
By 1892 USLHS had themselves established 219 lights, 79 pier head lights, four lightships and 56 fog signals.
Turned over to the treasury [page you came from]
Inventory of Lighthouse in the United States click here to go to the link