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 […]
Three Vessels Ashore at Wood Island Light in One Day
The following news article entitled, “Perils of the Sea” appeared in the Portland Press Daily on December 27, 1872. Three vessels went ashore at Wood Island Light on Christmas Eve. The keeper at the time was Albert Norwood. The article read as follows: “Three vessels went ashore on Wood Island Tuesday the 24th. The schooner […]
The Goal of a Docking System at Whaleback Light Remains Front & Center
The American Lighthouse Foundation and its local chapter, Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses, are determined to keep working towards obtaining funds for the repair of the two granite breakwaters and the installation of a much-needed docking system at Whaleback Light. The need for breakwater repairs and a dock were once again made clearly evident during […]
Maine Lighthouse Specialty License Plate Announced
The Maine Lighthouse Trust has received approval from the Maine Secretary of State to launch a campaign for Maine’s first lighthouse specialty license plate. The Maine Lighthouse Trust is required to have 2,000 Maine residents with active vehicle registrations pre-order the new license plate prior to the Secretary of State drafting legislation and presenting it […]
Sailor the Fog Bell Ringing Dog at Wood Island
Newspaper Article from the Past Wood Island Lighthouse in Maine was once home to a famous dog named Sailor. According to lighthouse author and historian, Jeremy D’Entremont, “Keeper Thomas Orcutt’s dog, Sailor, a mostly-black mongrel (described as a Scotch Collie in one article), was taken to the island as a two-month-old puppy and went on […]
Wood Island Lighthouse Poem by a Keeper’s Wife
The following poem was penned by Elmenia P. Lurvey, wife of Wood Island lightkeeper W. F. Lurvey (1917-1923). The poem appeared in the Bar Harbor Times on February 14, 1923. Lines from a Lighthouse I am sitting beside this billowy ocean, And gazing on naught, but the sea and the sky; The crystal waves roll […]
