Offshore lighthouse preservation projects are saddled
with a plethora of logistical and physical challenges not found with
similar projects that are land-locked. From coping with the
unpredictability of Mother Nature to the inherent difficulties
associated with safely arranging for volunteers and equipment to be
transported to an isolated lighthouse site, groups
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
Wood Island Lighthouse
Maine
that manage
offshore preservation projects have their work cut out for them.
In the case of the
lighthouse on Wood Island, off Biddeford Pool, Maine, the volunteers of the
Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse (FOWIL), a
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
A view of the boat ramp that
enables access to the island
chapter of the
American Lighthouse Foundation, the station’s wooden boat ramp is
critical to their entire operation to save and interpret Wood Island
Light. Without maintaining a soundly constructed ramp, the FOWIL would
not be able to safely disembark at the island. For Wood Island
Lighthouse, the gateway to its preservation is therefore found in
maintaining the station’s
boat ramp –
for without it, the light’s keepers could not effectively care for the
historic site.
As we all know,
Mother Nature is never kind to wooden structures that are situated within
the destructive reach of storm seas, and Wood Island’s boat ramp is no
exception. Over time the ramp has suffered its share of damage and
deterioration inflicted by the salt air and impact of heavy seas upon the
ramp’s wood construction. On Saturday, June 18, 2005 volunteers
of the FOWIL
set out on a workday with a resolute attitude to make critical repairs
to the boat ramp, knowing full well that the task ahead of them was
going to be anything but easy. The following is a report from the
Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse on the outcome of their workday at the
site:
“Fifteen hardy people showed up
for the work day and much was accomplished. The
Photo by Cliff Trebilcock
Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse
volunteers on June 18, 2005
difficulty of working on the very end of
the ramp became apparent quickly. We had to get ready and wait until the
tide receded below the rotten ramp boards, then work like crazy until the
returning tide put a halt to the efforts. In the short time available, at
least a third to a half of the project was completed. Getting the 12" spikes
out was no easy task. Removing the heavy waterlogged ramp boards was REALLY
TOUGH. The workers were very tired by the end of the day. We thank you all
for your help, hard labor and support. The restoration of the Lighthouse
certainly could not be done if the boat ramp failed.”
Photo by Cliff Trebilcock
Volunteers work at water's edge
during low tide to repair the ramp
Thanks to the dedicated volunteers of the
Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse, not only has a good portion of the
boat ramp been repaired, but also in doing so, the organization is able
to continue its restoration work at the historic site and offer safe
public access as part of their commitment to lighthouse education.
