Category Archives: Keepers

Lighthouse History – 03 (1867-02-28 to 1871-01-21)

Equipment, History, Keepers, Lighthouses, , , , , , ,

 

Lighthouse Lens
Lighthouse Lens

The following extracts taken from early Victoria, British Columbia (BC) newspapers are credited to Leona Taylor for her excellent work in indexing the papers. Full information can be found here: “Index of Historical Victoria Newspapers“, 2007-09.

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Mrs Davis, Widow of late lighthouse keeper at Race Rocks, is in want with 4 small children crying for bread. We are assured that the poor woman has done all in her power to procure employment, and that her exertions in that direction have met with poor success. Cannot something be done in her behalf? We are aware that there have been many calls upon the public of late for assistance; but ‘the poor ye have always with ye,’ and those who have no work to give would little miss a small donation. [Colonist, 1867-02-28, p. 3]

tender call, erection of FOG BELL TOWER at Race Rocks Lighthouse, signed B. W. Pearse, Lands & Works office [Colonist, 1870-07-12, p. 1]

John Costello, better known by the sobriquet of ‘Billy the Bug’ died at Race Rocks lighthouse, Jan 19, 1871 under very distressing circumstances. The poor man left Victoria in an open boat with supplies for the lighthouse, 12 miles distant. A gale sprang up shortly afterwards and he was driven past the rocks to the American side. Continue reading Lighthouse History – 03 (1867-02-28 to 1871-01-21) →

Lighthouse History – 02 (1860-06-09 to 1865-12-28)

Equipment, History, Keepers, Lighthouses, , , , , , ,
Fresnel Lens
Fresnel Lens

The following extracts taken from early Victoria, British Columbia (BC) newspapers are credited to Leona Taylor for her excellent work in indexing the papers. Full information can be found here: “Index of Historical Victoria Newspapers“, 2007-09.

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Esquimalt Lighthouse (Fisgard Lighthouse – ed) is now completed, except the lantern… [Colonist, 1860-06-09, p. 2]

By the Grecian the lanterns for the Fisguard Is and Race Rocks lighthouses, and the keepers of the same, arrived… [Colonist, 1860-08-09]

Schooner Meg Merillee has arrived from Barclay Sound, and reports that in passing the Race rocks yesterday morning a black flag was observed flying from the top of the lighthouse. Was it intended as a sign that some person had died? We feel anxious to know the cause of the display. [Workmen who had gone down to repair the lighthouse, and out of provisions, had lived on clams alone for 5 days] [Colonist, 1862-04-17] Continue reading Lighthouse History – 02 (1860-06-09 to 1865-12-28) →

Lighthouse History – 01 (1859-12-01 to 1860-06-09)

Equipment, History, Keepers, Lighthouses, , , , , , ,
Fresnel lighthouse lens - diagram
Fresnel lighthouse lens – diagram

The following extracts taken from early Victoria, British Columbia (BC) newspapers are credited to Leona Taylor for her excellent work in indexing the papers. Full information can be found here: “Index of Historical Victoria Newspapers“, 2007-09.

I have started this with the earliest paper of 1858. When you go on the newspaper website you can see more details in the scanned copies of the old papers. The newspaper links to the scanned copies are located at the end of each short summary (see the excerpts below).

When Ms. Taylor sent me the information, I was overwhelmed. Here was a source of names for past lighthouse keepers for my Lighthouse Keeper Database.

And now on to the newspaper excerpts . . .

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Captain Nagle purposes erecting a temporary lighthouse on McCauley’s Point (McCauley Point – ed). He has already purchased a lantern at a cost of $100. This is a very necessary improvement, for it will be remembered that about 3 months ago Eliza Anderson ran by the harbor into Esquimalt in a dark, rainy night. Besides, we believe that we are correct in stating that the Major Tompkins was lost there several years ago. [Colonist, 1859-12-01]

Coroner’s jury in the case of Edward Jones, who died on Waddington alley, Apr 12, censured the policeman having him in charge very severely, for not promptly summoning medical aid…Deceased had been employed as a cook at one of the lighthouses in the vicinity of this harbor (Berens Island?). He entered the Chinese restaurant on Waddington Alley in a high state of intoxication…page 1 [Colonist, 1860-04-14]

Esquimalt Light House – H. O. Tiedemann did lighthouse and Wright the house for the keeper, long article, number of mentions of Wright [Colonist, 1860-06-09, p. 2]

Esquimalt Lighthouse (Fisgard Lighthouse – ed.) designed by Mr. Tidieman [sic] of Surveyor General’s office, the light tower and house for the keeper erected by well-known architect John Wright – full description [Colonist, 1860-06-09, p. 2]

 

‘The Watchers’ Poster

Automation, Keepers, Lighthouses, Old Website, ,

The Watchers Poster

Here is a very nice poster printed back in the 1980s during another period when the government was attempting to automate Canadian lighthouses.

Titled “The Watchers”, the text is particularly appropriate now:

“For more than a century they have kept watch. At first, for sailing ships on the BC coast. Today, mammoth cruise ships and container vessels pass their light; small kayaks are towed ashore; hikers drop by for warm tea. They are the 30 remaining lightkeepers on our coast. For now, they still watch.”

Following the above text is a list of the thirty lighthouse keepers, and the stations they manned then. Unfortunately, some of the keepers are no longer with us.

They started in early 1970s and even today they mention automation – if the government has its way the lighthouses will also no longer be with us.

In Memorium – Steve Bergh (1949 – 2010)

In Memorium, Keepers, Lighthouses, , , , , ,
Steve Bergh

Steve Bergh (October 28, 1949 – August 16, 2010) Vancouver Island lightkeeper earned respect for his caring attitude toward others.
Lightkeeper Steve Bergh was a father, fisherman, loyal friend and strong advocate for staffed lighthouses on the West Coast.
Bergh, 60, died Monday in hospital of cancer. He’d been diagnosed less than two weeks before he died.
“He lived life to the fullest and he had no regrets,” said Alice Woods, his wife of 37 years.
When Bergh got the devastating news that he was not going to recover, he looked at friends and family gathered in the hospital room and declared himself a lucky man.
But those who knew Bergh believed they were the lucky ones.
“He was an extremely loyal friend,” said Garth Mirau, a retired commercial fisherman from Nanaimo. “I’ve seen a couple times where Steve went way beyond what you expect from a friend to help people out.”
When a friend’s wife died, Bergh took time away from work to stay with his friend — and kept the house going for the difficult days following the death.
“I think he’d like to be remembered as a human being who was really interested in his neighbours,” Mirau said. “It sounds a bit corny, but he was a really caring guy and was really interested in what people thought. I was always happy after I talked to him.”
Bergh was born in California in 1950 and worked as a commercial fisherman before coming to Canada in 1971 and settling on the B.C. coast. He became a lighthouse keeper in 1973, taking over Estevan Point on the west coast of Vancouver Island. His last post was Chatham Point in Johnstone Strait.
Friend and fisherman Danny Lee knew Bergh for 20 years and says his service to fishermen will be remembered.
“If you had a problem, he always had a part or something you needed at the lighthouse that could keep you fishing,” said Lee. “That’s one thing everybody is going to remember him for. He had a lot of friends in the fishing community.”
Bergh spoke up for lightkeepers as president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada’s Lightkeepers, Local 20232, founding the Canadian Lightkeepers Association this year.
“He was not just a voice for lightkeepers, he was a voice for mariners and aviators of this coast,” said Woods. “He read the letters the mariners and aviators sent to our representatives in Ottawa pleading with them to retain these services.”
In addressing the Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans last May, Bergh said: “I’ve pulled people out of the water, I’ve searched for people who’ve fallen overboard. I’ve provided first aid.
“We provide mechanical repairs to vessels and we provide sanctuary for the shipwrecked. I don’t know what kind of computer can do those kinds of things.”
Working as a lightkeeper is the best way to know how important the job is to those who work on the coast, said Woods. Bergh advised mariners and pilots of changing weather conditions and kept a vigilant watch on marine and air traffic.
“He was a strong advocate for manned lighthouses, but I always felt it went way beyond the fact he happened to be a lightkeeper,” Mirau said. “I think it was because he really believed in community.”
Aside from his wife, Bergh is survived by three sons — Trevor, Jacob and Matthew. A celebration of his life was held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010 at the Marine Heritage Centre in Campbell River, BC.

Posted: Sat, 2010-08-21 19:51 in Canadian Lightkeepers Association website1 Source:  Victoria Times-Colonist

To include your memories in Steve’s memorial please click this link.

More on Steve Bergh’s adventurous life in a Globe and Mail obituary here.

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FOOTNOTE:

1 The Canadian Lightkeepers website does not exist anymore. I received permission to hold the content of the site, and have made the site available here. It is not active. It is just being held for its informative value.

July 29, 2012 – UPDATE: I have now been informed that the Canadian Lightkeepers Association website is again active. Bravo!

In Memorium – Rev. Oliver Howard (1927 – 2008)

In Memorium, Keepers, Lighthouses, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Oliver R. Howard was born in 1927, and ordained by the British Columbia Conference of the United Church in 1953. His first station was with the Prince Rupert Presbytery in Alert Bay. He subsequently served the Marine Mission in Ocean Falls, the Campbell River Pastoral Charge, the Friendship House in Prince Rupert and the Board of Home Missions in Toronto before taking over as Minister of the Thomas Crosby V (TCV) for the Central Mainland Marine Mission On the TCV he wrote “The Uttermost parts of the sea”, subsequently published under the title “Godships” (Toronto: United Church of Canada, 1984). In 1985 Tony Wade directed a documentary on the United Church mission ship travelling the west coast of Canada to Alaska and back – The Voyage of the Thomas Crosby V. 1985 This two week journey included spectacular scenery viewed by very few people and is available for viewing on Youtube. This film is followed by three more segments from the United Church of Canada: The Voyage of Thomas Crosby V (part 1) The Voyage of Thomas Crosby V (part 2) The Voyage of Thomas Crosby V (part 3) This was the captain/missionary Oliver Howard’s last voyage. The Thomas Crosby mission ship is no longer in operation. Oliver Howard died October 16, 2008. Obituary Oliver R. Howard (1927 – 2008) from classifieds.canada.com A Steady Hand At The Helm Joyce, David, and Kathleen Howard are saddened to announce the passing of long time Port Alberni resident The Reverend Oliver R. Howard on October 16th, 2008. Born in 1927, in Vilna, Alberta, Oliver was the first son of Florence and Austin Howard. The family moved to Creston, British Columbia and later Lulu Island (Richmond) to provide better educational opportunities for their children. Oliver’s ministry with the United Church of Canada spanned over 50 years. In 1953, realizing his parents dream, Oliver graduated from Union College, UBC. He was ordained as a United Church Minister and accepted an invitation from The Board Of Home Missions to be Skipper and Missionary on the Robert C. Scott based out of Alert Bay, BC. On October 2, 1954, Oliver married Joyce M. Dunn (Woodstock, Ontario). They have two children, David and Kathleen. Oliver then qualified as a Master Mariner in 1959. As Captain and Missionary, he served aboard the Thomas Crosby IV anchoring at native communities, light houses, and float camps from Alert Bay to Prince Rupert. In 1960 he came ashore to take a pastoral charge at Campbell River United Church. In 1964 the family moved north to Prince Rupert where Oliver served in church administration before moving to the national office in 1966. In Toronto, Oliver worked with the Board of Home Missions and supervised student internships. Returning to B.C. in 1975, he served as Master of the Thomas Crosby V (TCV). In 1984, his book, `Godships’, an historical and personal account of the church’s 100 years of seagoing missions on the coast was published. Oliver served in a team ministry at Metropolitan United in Victoria in 1985 then in 1987, his final pastoral call was to St. Andrew’s United Church in Port Alberni. After retiring in 1992, he served as President of BC Conference; oversaw pensions and made visitations to retired ministers; sat on the board of Moorecroft Camp; served as Minister Emeritus of Alberni Valley United Church; a Founder of the Alberni Valley Community Foundation and remained an active supporter of Alberni region organizations. Always a loving and supportive son, brother, husband, father, mentor and friend he was predeceased by his parents, sister Joyce and brother Allan. He is survived by his sister, Gay Harrigan (Mike) in Nanaimo; his daughter-in-law, Deborah (Vancouver); granddaughter, Laura (Ghana); and a close extended family. The family is grateful for the care provided by Dr. Alan Fraser, as well as West Coast General Hospital, Royal Jubilee & Ty Watson House. Without their caring assistance we could not have ushered Oliver so peacefully onto his next port of call. A Celebration of Life for The Rev. Oliver R. Howard was held on October 26th at 2:00pm at Alberni Valley United Church, 3747 Church Street, Port Alberni. In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations be made to either: Alberni Valley United Church, 3747 Church Street, Port Alberni BC V9Y 1T5 or Alberni Valley Hospice Society, 2649 2nd Ave., Port Alberni, BC V9Y 1Z8

To include your memories in Oliver’s memorial please click this link.

The Rev. Howard was never a lighthouse keeper but he was a friend to the lighthouse keeper’s – a very good friend.

[private]
Joyce Howard Obituary (1922 – 2011)

Hello friend! – Play On Mom!

David and Kathleen Howard and family are saddened to announce the passing of long time Port Alberni resident, Joyce M. Howard, on July 30th. 2011

Born in 1922, in Woodstock, Ontario, Joyce was the first daughter of Rose and Charles Dunn. Raised in Woodstock, Joyce boldly moved west in 1952 to take up the post of Secretary to Dr. William S. Taylor at Union College in Vancouver.

It was during her time at Union College that Joyce met Oliver R. Howard. After Oliver’s graduation and ordination as a United Church Minister, the couple wed on Oct 2, 1954 and moved to Alert Bay, B.C. to take up marine ministry. They have 2 children, David and Kathleen.

During their 54 years of marriage Joyce and Oliver served the United Church of Canada in Ocean Falls, Campbell River, Prince Rupert, Toronto, Victoria and Oliver’s final pastoral call, St. Andrew’s United Church, in Port Alberni. Joyce was active as a leader in Explorers, in the United Church Women and in Presbyterial.

When Oliver retired in 1992, the couple remained in the valley as active supporters of Alberni region organizations.

Always a loving and supportive daughter, sister, wife, mother, and caring friend Joyce was pre-deceased by her husband Oliver, parents, and brother Bill. She is survived by her sister, Marie Dunn in Saskatoon; her son, David, daughter-in-law, Deborah (Vancouver); granddaughter, Laura (Montreal); daughter, Kathleen and a close extended family.

The family is grateful for the care and compassion provided by Dr. Kerry DeWitt; Joyce had many friends among the staff and residents of Heritage Place and Echo Village; her church family at Alberni Valley United. Without their caring assistance Joyce would not have left so peacefully to go to her next great piano concert venue. You will know her as she passes with her cheerful greeting of “Hello Friend!”

A Celebration of Life for Joyce Howard will be held on August 5th at 1:00pm at Alberni Valley United Church, 3747 Church Street, Port Alberni.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either:

Alberni Valley United Church
3747 Church Street
Port Alberni BC
V9Y 1T5
or
Alberni-Clayoquot Continuing Care Society
4200 10th Ave
Port Alberni, BC
V9Y 4X3
[/private]

In Memorium – Annie Frances (Arden) Sullivan (1909 – 2007)

Adult Memories, Children, Genealogy, In Memorium, Keepers, Lighthouses, Old Website, Rowboat, , , , , ,

The Passing of a Lot of Memories

To include your memories in Annie’s memorial please click this link.

– In Memorium posted in the Victoria Times-Colonist October 24, 2007

If any members of the family have photos or stories of the life on Sheringham Point lighthouse, I would be pleased to present them here. I am sorry for your loss – she really did live an adventurous life.

In Memorium – Robert Eric Akerstrom (1936 – 2004)

British Columbia, In Memorium, Keepers, Lighthouses, Old Website, ,
Rotten Robert

Bob Akerstrom (October 02, 1936 – September 28, 2004 in Prince Rupert, BC) was known by all as “Rotten Robert”. It was an affectionate term for one of the best relief keepers we had in the Northern District of Prince Rupert.
 
Bob was always welcomed on every lighthstation because of his work and his sense of humour.
 
The wives often said that he left the house neater and cleaner than before he came.
 
Bob worked relief on Triple island, Green Island, Langara Point, McInnes Island, Addenbroke Island, Egg Island, and many other lighthouses on the North Coast.
 
He was a good friend and is missed by all.

To include your memories in Bob’s memorial please click this link.

Bob’s plaque on the Prince Rupert seaside Memorial Wall

Ed and Pat Kidder Retire from Nootka Lightstation

Adult Memories, British Columbia, Canada, Keepers, Lighthouses, On The Job, , , ,

Ed and Pat Kidder Retire from Nootka Lightstation

When a water taxi took the latest Coast Guard retirees from Friendly Cove to Gold River on May 3rd, a lightkeeping era ended. Over their 42 year career on the lights—the last 33 at Nootka lightstation—B.C.’s senior keepers Ed and Pat Kidder have seen many technical and political changes.

Two of the lights they tended have been destaffed. Ed was 19 and Pat 18 when they brought their newborn son Dean to Gallows Point in Nanaimo Harbour. The light was an Aladdin-type that sometimes smoked when the pressure changed, and blackened the tower walls.

At Quatsino Sound’s Kains Island, the only way off was from the rocks by the ship’s surf boat. “When they said ‘jump’ you jumped,” Pat recalls.

At Carmanah, everybody “the boss and the wife and the kids,”rode up and down in the coast’s longest highline (350 feet).

Following Scarlett Point Ed rotated two week shifts at Sandheads Light by Steveston. Pat, Dean and their daughter Petronella lived in Nanaimo.

On May 3rd [2003], while forty (40) staff from the Coast Guard Base at Huron Street and the Bartlett red crew watched, Senator Pat Carney presented Ed Kidder with a Queen’s Golden Jubilee medal, one of 17 awarded to veteran lightkeepers for their role in keeping B.C.’s coast safe for mariners.

“Lightkeepers keep people connected,” said Carney, “and no one has done that better than Ed and Pat Kidder.” Article and photographs by Shirley Hewett

Kidder 1
Pat and Ed with Siamese cat Sheba Nootka Sound from the Lightstation.
and toy poodle Macho
Kidder 2
Nootka Sound from the Lightstation.

 

Reposted from the Canadian Coast Guard Association (CCGA) Newsletter June 2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Memorium – Albert Bartle (1915 – 1996)

Adult Memories, First Nations, Fishing, In Memorium, Keepers, Lighthouses, Old Website, On The Job, Recreation, Wildlife, , , , ,

 

Albert Bartle

Albert Bartle (October 11, 1915 in Winnipeg, Manitoba – July 5, 1996 in Victoria, BC) – Relief Keeper.
 
More on his life here
 
-from Rodger Konkle (son-in-Law of Albert Bartle)

To include your memories in Albert’s memorial please click this link.

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As Albert has not too many words written about him, perhaps these short memories will add some colour to his life. – retlkpr

Alaska King Crab 

Cooked Alaska King Crab – photo David B. Fankhauser website

While on Pine Island, Al [Bartle] and Ralph [Emerich] put down a crab trap off the highline and put chicken scraps in the trap. The next morning they pulled up the trap and had an Alaska King Crab. Great eating! They did not know that the King crabs came this far south. 

– Jean (Bartle) Konkle (Daughter of Albert Bartle, Relief Keeper) 

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Eagles Bathing 

Eagles bathing – photo Jim Robertson – Wildlife Photography website

While on Scarlett Point, Vivian Hunt, a First Nations person that lived on the island about ½ mile down from the lighthouse took us for a hike up the mountain on a trail that he had hand cut with a machete, to a small lake. While there we witnessed over 50 Eagles having a bath in the fresh water after feeding in salt water. That island [Scarlett] is a gorgeous site. Al [Bartle] caught a 20 lb. red snapper right off the rocks in front of the lighthouse. 

– Jean (Bartle) Konkle (Daughter of Albert Bartle, Relief Keeper on Scarlett Point c. 1973) 

Fish for Dinner 

Sandheads lighthouse – now automated

Dad (Albert Bartle), when he was on Sandheads lighthouse (no women allowed), which has no room to do anything except walk around the boardwalk around the lighthouse, would put down a bucket on a rope and passing fish boats would fill the bucket with salmon, cod, crabs, shrimp, etc. He always said that it was much easier than going fishing.  – Jean (Bartle) Konkle (Daughter of Albert Bartle, Relief Keeper at Sandheads c. 1970s)