Way
of Life
The
way of life for a lighthouse keeper was at all times demanding,
rigorous, and often lonely. In addition to the many responsibilities
of maintaining the light, there were several other duties
that needed the keeper's attention. One of the most time-consuming
activities for a keeper was that of obtaining and maintaining
resources necessary for the maintenance of the light and the
survival of those who lived there.
Lighthouse
Resources
Some
common supplies needed to maintain the light and other related
devices included:
- Oil
and wicks for the lantern
- Paint
for the tower and adjacent buildings
- Tools
for repairs
- Cleaning
supplies
for reflectors, lenses, windows, etc.
- Water
for steam-powers fog signals
- Coal
Personal
Resources
In
addition to the many supplies needed for the operation of
the light itself, there were obviously many other resources
necessary for survival that had to be acquired and maintained,
such as:
- Food
- Clothing
- Medicine
- Feed for livestock
- Tools and materials
for carpentry
Acquiring
and maintaining all the necessary supplies for a lighthouse
was a significant task in and of itself. Since most lighthouses
are located in remote locations with access being inhibited
by rough, unsettled territory, supplies could be difficult
to obtain. Lighthouse keepers and their families often had
to brave rough seas and treacherous terrain in order to get
the things they needed to do their jobs, not to mention survive.
Many were also dependent upon others to deliver supplies to
them, often by boat, and dangerous storms that lasted over
extended periods of time could postpone much needed deliveries,
forcing those at the lighthouses to go without.
©
2002 Lights of the Coast |
