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mice and even ocean rats had found their way into the cistern at the
lighthouse and drowned in the water, contaminating it. Although the water
from the cistern is not used at the lighthouse for drinking, it is used for
showers taken by the caretaker and the overnight guests.
Long time lighthouse volunteer Lee Leighton took on the job of cleaning the
cistern and sterilizing it. Dressed in protective gear complete with
goggles, face mask, boots and more, he looked like a man from space as he
climbed into the cistern in the dark and dingy old basement of the 1888
keeper’s house.
Years ago the cistern was the only supply of fresh water that was available
for the keepers of the lighthouse. Sometime after the Coast Guard took over
the lighthouse, they drilled a well, which usually went dry by August of
every year. However, just before the Coast Guard automated the lighthouse,
the Coast Guard caused a fuel oil overflow in the basement of the keeper’s
house, which contaminated the well water.
After the Coast Guard abandoned the lighthouse, the cistern fell into
disrepair and one of the walls collapsed. Eventually, over time, the wooden
cistern cover rotted and could not be repaired or saved.
In 2006, Boy Scouts from southern Maine rebuilt the wall of the cistern, and
in 2007 Hal Biering donated a custom made swimming pool liner for the
cistern, which was installed that year. In 2008 the contaminated water
problem was resolved by a special water filtration system installed with
help from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the well
water was again able to be used. The cistern then provided a back-up water
supply for the lighthouse.
A new cistern cover is now being made and installed by former Little River
Lighthouse keeper Terry Rowden; the new cover will keep the cistern nearly
air tight and secured from mice and other creatures. The new cistern cover
will have a sliding door for access for future cleaning, which will now be
much easier and cleaner than in the past.
Rowden is familiar with the cistern from his days as part of a three-man
Coast Guard crew that was stationed at the lighthouse in late 1960s. When he
was low man on the pole, it was his job to clean the cistern, which he
described as the second worst job on the island. The worst job was cleaning
the septic tank, which had to be done by hand with pails. Island lighthouse
life was not always great.
Thanks to dedicated volunteers like Lee Leighton, Terry Rowden and others,
Little River Lighthouse Station continues to evolve with its ongoing
projects to keep the island and its lighthouse open to the public for future
generations.
Posted: 8/26/2010 |
