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Lighthouse Depot Dispatch
Portsmouth Light To Get New Walkway
The 80-foot wooden walkway at Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is being rebuilt at a cost of $15,950. Lighthouse volunteers Pat and Kaye Heffernan in honor of Kaye’s aunt have donated the cost of the walkway. The walkway will be dedicated in a ceremony at the lighthouse on Oct. 22 at 1 PM, and the public is invited. The lighthouse is cared for by the Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse, a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation. To learn more go to www.LighthouseFoundation.org.
Information Needed on Arnold Burgess Johnson
Lighthouse Digest is looking for a photograph and biographical information on Arnold Burgess Johnson who was the Chief Clerk of the United States Light House Board in the late 1800s. It is known that he was instrumental in designing the Lighthouse Service displays and exhibits at the World’s Columbian Exposition held in Chicago, Illinois in 1893. If any one can help or guide them to someone who can, you can email editor@LighthouseDigest.com or write to: Editor, Lighthouse Digest, P.O. Box 68, Wells, ME 04090.
Brick Restoration Party for Cape St. George
This is a great opportunity for a hands-on restoration for anyone of all ages. It will involve chipping of the 1850s mortar off bricks salvaged from Florida’s collapsed Cape St. George Lighthouse. The event will take place Saturday, November 11 in Eastpoint, Florida. Tools and safety glasses will be provided, but you should bring your own work gloves. Tents will be set up to provide shade and cover in the unlikely event of rain. Dinner will be served to volunteers in the evening, but you should bring your own lunch and refreshments. To register for the work date or help in locating nearby motel room email ericlighthouse@yahoo.com.
Flying Santa Plaque to be Dedicated
The public is invited to the Wincapaw Memorial Plaque dedication ceremony at the Maine Lighthouse Museum at 1:00 PM on Saturday, October 14, 2006. It was pilot Wincapaw who established the tradition in 1929 of dropping Christmas presents to lighthouses after he had been saved by the following the guiding beacons of the lighthouses to a safe landing. His actions started the Flying Santa of the Lighthouses a tradition that is kept alive today by the Friends of the Flying Santa. In conjunction with the dedication the Friends of the Flying Santa will host a lighthouse cruise from Boothbay Harbor, Maine, on October 15. Advance tickets at $50.00 per person can be ordered from the Friends of the Flying Santa, P.O. Box 80047, Stoneham, MA 02180 pr on-line at www.FlyingSanta.org.
Tombstone Photo of California Lighthouse Mover Wanted
In the early 1940s the original Point Hueneme Lighthouse, near Oxnard, California was sold at auction to be moved to become part of a proposed yacht club. However, at the outbreak of World War II the area where the yacht club was to have been built was taken over by the U. S. Navy, which demolished the lighthouse. Numerous stories state that John R. Brakey, the man who was hired to move the lighthouse was extremely proud of the feat. It is reported that his tombstone bears an elaborate engraving of the move of the lighthouse. We don’t know where he is buried. However, if any one can help, Lighthouse Digest would like to obtain a photograph of his tombstone with the engraving. A photo can be mailed to Editor, Lighthouse Digest, P.O. Box 68, Wells, ME 04090 or a high-resolution photo (300dpi or better on a JPEG file) can be emailed to editor@LighthouseDigest.com.
Grand Haven’s Lost Lighthouses
It seems that photographs and old post card images of Michigan’s original Grand Haven Pierhead lighthouses are very scarce. If anyone can help locate old photos or duplicates of old photos of these lighthouses please contact editor@lighthousedigest.com or mail Editor, Lighthouse Digest, P.O. Box 68, Wells, ME 04090.
Last Issues Trivia Question & Winner
Maine has a large number of historic lighthouses, some are short like Owls Head and some
are tall like Petit Manan. Which Maine lighthouse is the highest above sea level?
The correct answer is Seguin Island Lighthouse near Popham Beach, Maine. Although the tower
itself is only 53 feet high it stands 186 feet above sea level. Congratulations to Linda Reese of Knoxville, TN, whose name was randomly selected from
among the winning answers. Her very special prize from Lighthouse Depot is now on its way to her.
New Bedford Lightship To Be Scrapped
It would now appear that for all practical purposes the New Bedford Lightship, which rolled over several months ago is being sold for scrap. Ported in New Bedford, MA, the vessel was previously the Pollock Rip Lightship until the City of New Bedford acquired it and changed its name. Original plans, that never materialized, were to turn it into a floating museum. A recent auction was stopped in progress when preservationists protested that the artifacts should be removed from the vessel before it was sold for scrap, something that was objected to by the salvage bidders. Hopefully some of the artifacts from the historic vessel will go to a museum before it is finally sold for scrap metal.
Kids Get Rare Blanket For White River Light
Thanks in part to a donation of $800 from money raised by second graders at Michigan’s Reetha-Puffer’s Central Elementary School the state’s White River Light Station has been able to purchase a rare original wool blanket from of the United States Lighthouse Service. Then blanket was purchased from an antique dealer. The blanket and other rare items recently acquired by the lighthouse will now be on display for visitors to see.
New Australian Book
A new book by John Ibbotson, titled "Lighthouses of Australia - The Offshore Lights," can only be described as spectacular. The book was published in conjunction with his previous book, "Lighthouses of Australia, Images From the End of an Era." The new hard cover book with its 288 pages is a wealth of information and absolutely superb photographs or Australia’s remote lighthouses. The book has 500 color photographs of over 300 different lighthouses and buoys or their stunning locations with concise information. It includes a section on modern lighthouse lanterns and their current status. It has a section on the history of Australia’s lighthouse tenders and the personal accounts of two voyages done on the last Australian lighthouse tender the MV Cape Grafton /MV Southern Supporter. This is a real "must-have" book for every lighthouse enthusiasts. For more information visit www.lighthouses.com.au or email lighthouses@mira.net.
Granite Chunks Fall From Perry Monument
The Perry Memorial Monument on South Bass Island in Put-In-Bay, Ohio, has suffered some damage from the elements. Recently a 500 pound piece of granite from atop the 353-foot tall tower came crashing to the ground, causing the structure to be closed to the public. The National Park Service owns the structure that was built in 1912-15 to commemorate Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry’s victory against the British during the Battle of Lake Erie in 1813. Although some people claim it is not a lighthouse, its white flashing light does serve as an aid to navigation.
Finn’s Point Closed
The U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service has now closed Finn’s Point Rear Range Lighthouse to the public. The lighthouse located in New Jersey’s Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge has experienced major downsizing with a reduction in its operating budget causing many programs at the refuge to be halted and closure of the lighthouse is one of them. US Fish & Wildlife officials state they "are not hopeful for any quick change in the situation." The keeper’s house at the site was torn down after it was repeatedly vandalized. In recent years a "friends" group would open the tower for tours, something that will now no longer be allowed.
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Needs Repairs
Maine’s Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, the only lighthouse to ever appear on American money is in desperate need of repairs. Volunteers are desperately trying to raise money so the restoration can be completed next year. If you’d like to help, donations can be sent to: Friends of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, A Chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation, P.O. Box 353, Bristol, Maine 04539.
Last Chance to Own A Rare Harbour Lights
The soon-to-be-published Offical Collectors Guide says this Harbour Lights would rank among the top 10 Rarest Harbour Lights. The only thing keeping it off the list is that you can't purchase it from a Harbour Lights dealer. HL692 Erie Land Light, PA was produced by Harbour Lights exclusively for sale by the independent Collector Forums. Only 500 pieces of the 6" x 6" limited edition sculpture were produced; only about 15% remain to be sold at $50 each, including shipping. For more information, visit the Collector Forums website at www.LighthouseKeepers.com or call Dave Hannum at 765-452-1602.
Christmas Is Just Around The Corner
This would be the ideal time to order some lighthouse ornaments for your Christmas Tree before the holiday season is upon you. Lighthouse Depot has a set of four colorful ornaments for $11.95 as item # 28986.
To decorate your front door we would suggest the Lighthouse Holiday Wreath #28320. Since this item does require a 3 to 4 week lead-time we recommend that you order it early.
One of our favorite wintertime prints is by Maine photographer Michael Francis Barry of Portland Head Light decorated at Christmas time called "Let It Snow." What is interesting about this beautiful print is that the photographer decorated the lighthouse himself and then waited for the perfect snowfall before taking the early evening photograph. Measuring 24" x 18" it will fit in a standard size frame and is available as item #20555 for only $30.00. However, if you’d like it shipped already framed, please order #20556. Displayed in your home or office its appeal will be year ‘round.
This Issues Trivia Question
A number of American Lighthouses have been moved in the past. Some of these include, Block Island Southeast Light in Rhode Island, Cape Hatteras Light in North Carolina, and Highland Light in Massachusetts. What is the name and location of the United States Lighthouse scheduled to be moved in 2007? Send your answer to Editor@LighthouseDigest.com.
We will randomly select one name from the correct answers submitted for a prize from Lighthouse Depot. Be sure to include your full name and mailing address in case you are the lucky winner so we will know where to mail your prize.
With the holiday season close at hand Lighthouse Depot offers many wonderful gift ideas for all your shopping needs form the comfort of your home. From home furnishings to clothing, fine collectibles, calendars, dinnerware and Harbour Lights replicas, we are here to make your shopping experience easy and fun this holiday season.
Be sure to visit our Clearance Central for an ever-changing array of discontinued and close out items.
From all of us at Lighthouse Depot, we wish you a wonderful autumn season.
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