The following story appeared in the Sanford Tribune on July 28, 1911. The incident and subsequent rescue occurred on July 22, 1911, about a half-mile east of Whaleback Lighthouse on White Island Reef. If not for the vigilance and quick response of Whaleback lightkeeper Walter Amee, the two occupants aboard the wrecked motor boat would […]
The Position of Lighthouse Keeper in 1852
The following comments in regards to lighthouse keepers were made in the Report of the Officers Constituting the Light-House Board, 1852. The report examined the condition of the Light-House Establishment of the United States (during the control of Stephen Pleasonton, Fifth Auditor of the U.S. Treasury Department at the time) under the Act of March […]
A Glimpse of Life at Race Point Light
The following excerpted letter was written by Frances Hallett, wife of Race Point Light Station keeper Osborne Earle Hallett (1945-1955). The letter was published in the December 1952 edition of the Maine Coast Fisherman. “Will write a few lines. There really hasn’t been too much to write about. Well, summer has gone, and things are […]
Tommy the Cat at Pomham Rocks Light
The following story appeared in the January 18, 1931 edition of the Times-Picayune newspaper. Adolf H. Aronson served as the keeper of the Pomham Rocks Lighthouse (RI) during this time (1908 to 1937). Cat Catches Fish by Diving into Sea Practice Reputed to Have Been Learned from Children “Providence, R.I., Jan. 17 – It’s not […]
Keeper of Cape Elizabeth Light is Fatally Injured
Throughout the history of lighthouses, keepers could not tend the light or clean the tower from top to bottom without climbing a set of stairs to reach the lantern. It was task that could be required a number of times per day and undertaken as just part of the job. If the lighthouse was a […]
A Tornado at Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse
The following story appeared in the June 6, 1865 edition of The Portland Daily Press. James Mariner was the keeper of the Two Lights at Cape Elizabeth during this time. Mr. Mariner served as keeper of this light station from 1861 to 1869. At the time, the original 1828 east and west towers at Cape […]
