Category Archives: Lighthouses

Descriptions of different BC lighthouses.

Travel-Northern Samar Offers Undisturbed Paradise Islets

Many of you know I have travelled to the Philippines to visit many times, and I have seen some parts of the 7,107 island paradise. Also, because of my former occupation which led to this website, I am also interested in lighthouses, so when the two of them come together, then it is of interest to me, and hopefully to you also.

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 Northern Samar Offers Undisturbed Paradise Islets

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte—Northern Samar will soon be found on the tourism map.

The provincial government is developing four beautiful, undisturbed islands as premier tourist destinations—Biri, Capul, San Antonio and San Vicente, all along the San Bernardino Strait separating Samar and Luzon. . . . 

. . . Capul boasts of a 16th-century church and a century-old lighthouse. The church was not only a place of worship but also a refuge from Moro raids in the early days. Recently, it was declared a historical site by the National Historical Commission.

To continue reading on this fascinating area, please visit the website of the Inquirer News here.

Lighthouse History – 11 (1900-06-20 to 1901-01-17)

Construction, History, Information, Keepers, Lighthouses, Newspapers, , , , , , ,

 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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‘Queen City’ returned from Ahousett and way ports last night, after a dirty trip, replete with fog and rain, bringing a small complement of passengers, including Mr Flanders a mining man from Clayoquot; T Daykin, keeper of the lighthouse at Carmanah, who has been ill; Captain Byers, who has been up to ship a crew of Indian hunters at Village I; and James E Sutton, mgr of the Wreck Bay placer mines near Ucluelet. [Colonist, 1900-06-20]

 

The botanical station to be situated at San Juan, on the West Coast Vancouver Island, is creating quite a deal of interest here. The buildings, 2 or 3 in number, will be commenced this winter, and it is expected they will be ready for occupancy in the spring. For the 1st year 30 or 40 students will be accommodated, and this number is expected to be much increased in time. 
The establishment of this station at San Juan will widely advertise the island, and particularly that district, as the members of the society are drawn from all parts of the United States and Canada, and the immense mineral and lumber wealth will thus be brought before likely investors, with it is hoped, good financial results. The Lieutenant-Gov has signified his intention of being present at the inauguration, and it is expected that a number of members of the house and prominent Victorians will accompany him. The expenses connected with the erection and equipment of the station have been raised by private subscription, and it is hoped that the provincial government will expend some little money in the making of a road from the government wharf at San Juan to the station – about 4 miles. The Messrs Baird, of San Juan have donated to the organizers and had surveyed 4 acres of their land, upon which the buildings are to be erected. 
No goods could be taken to the buildings by land: all the material must be sent by water, and this at many times is unsafe and impracticable.  Continue reading Lighthouse History – 11 (1900-06-20 to 1901-01-17) →

Kids and Boats on Sisters Island c. 1928

British Columbia, Canada, Childhood Memories, Children, Equipment, Keepers, Lighthouses, Old Website, Recreation, Transportation, , , ,
Sisters Island lighthouse 1927

– Ted Smithman (Son of Henry Herbert Smithman who was Senior Keeper at Sisters Island 1927 – 1929)

I was allowed a lot of freedom there [Sisters Island ]. I would find a broad flat chunk of log and sit on it and explore the coast of the whole island. Mum worried but Dad seemed to trust us not to do anything really stupid.  Continue reading Kids and Boats on Sisters Island c. 1928 →

Illness at Boat Bluff – c. 1970s

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The following memory was passed on to me by Margit Losel. It happened during their time at Boat Bluff in the years 1977 – 1980. They were lucky! They were able to get off and on the lighthouse. Some stations were too isolated for this method to work. – JAC 

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Boat Bluff c. 1970s - photo credit - Ray Mackenzie

We were living on Boat Bluff Light and my oldest son Simon was an infant. He developed a very bad case of Croup. One stormy night he all but stopped breathing and we tried frantically to get some help.  Continue reading Illness at Boat Bluff – c. 1970s →

Travel – Space and Lighthouses Combined

Cape Canaveral lighthouse

Now this is something I would like to see! Visit Cape Canaveral and also see a lighthouse on the property. Too cool!

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http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20110820/NEWS01/108200315/Tours-shine-light-Cape-s-heart-soul-?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Local%20News 

Another article on the Civil War history of the Cape Canaveral lighthouse appeared here:

http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/civil-war/2011/aug/29/civil-war-little-known-story-cape-canaveral-lighth/

 

 

Italy Still Has Manned Lighthouses

Automation, Foreign, History, Information, Italy, Lighthouses, Travel, Worldwide, , , ,

THE TWILIGHT OF ITALY’S LIGHTHOUSE KEEPERS

Italy will still need lighthouses. But with new technology, lighthouse keepers are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Already just 62 of the country’s 161 “faros” have actual human operators.

Lighthouse in Vieste, Italy (Roby Ferrari)Lighthouse in Vieste, Italy (Roby Ferrari)

 By Fabio Pozzo

LA STAMPA/Worldcrunch

More on this story here.

How Many Countries in the World Have MANNED Lighthouses?

Automation, Foreign, Information, Lighthouses, Travel, Worldwide, , ,

 

vector-world-map-v2.2

I am often asked how many countries in the world still have manned lighthouses, and how many.

Do you know?

There is one minor problem – How Many Countries Are There? Watch this short Youtube video to find out . . . or not!

I am asking for help in finding out which countries actually do have people on the lighthouses, performing the duties of a lighthouse keeper.

If you live in a country that maintains people on the lighthouses as lighthouse keepers, or have visited a country that does, please let me know in the comments box below, or contact me. I would like a webpage link or reference if you have one, and maybe, if you know it, how many manned lighthouses there are.

I will post and maintain a list of worldwide manned lighthouses by country.

Appreciate any help I can get, and yes, I know Canada has a few!

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Africa (?)

Democratic Republic of the Congo(1) http://www.labaleine.co.za/things_to_do.html

British Virgin Islands (1 +?) http://www.cyberdiver.net/cuan_law.html

Canada  (50) http://www.ohscanada.com/news/manned-lighthouses-reviewed/1000347338/ Canada’s “staffed lighthouses across the country now number only 50: 23 in Newfoundland and Labrador and 27 in British Columbia.”

Between 1970 and 1996, 264 [Canadian] lighthouses were automated, . . . http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001271

Unmanned Cabot Head Lighthouse; Update http://www.guelphmercury.com/opinion-story/4179091-lighting-the-future-with-the-past/

Continue reading How Many Countries in the World Have MANNED Lighthouses? →

Minnie Patterson – Canadian Heroine Remembered Again

Canada, Coast Guard, Hero/Heroine, History, Information, Lighthouses, On The Job, Search & Rescue, Ships, , , ,

You all know who Minnie Patterson was, don’t you? You don’t? Well, she was a real live Canadian lighthouse heroine who lived and worked with her husband on Cape Beale lighthouse. In 1906 she helped in the rescue of the people on board the barkentine Caloma. Read her story in Wikipedia here. More events on her life below.

Paterson’s story coming to Alberni

Minniesstory-Aug19-2086.jpg 

An engraved silver tray awarded by the Government of Canada and a tea set awarded by the crew of the SS Queen City are on display at the lighthouse on the waterfront. The items were awarded to Minnie Paterson, who in 1906 helped avert a maritime disaster on the West Coast. The story about Minnie is being told at the lighthouse on Sunday, Aug. 21. Start time is 2 p.m.


Published: August 18, 2011 4:00 PM 
Updated: August 18, 2011 4:32 PM

On Dec. 6, 1906, the barkentine Coloma was embattered by a southeast gale off the West Coast shore, her sails tattered in the unforgiving winds.

She drifted within sight of the Cape Beale lighthouse, where Thomas Paterson was manning the foghorn and the light.

The telegraph cable connecting the lighthouse to Bamfield was broken, so his wife, Minnie Paterson, eight months pregnant, walked for miles through the bush and pounding rain to alert the telegraph line-keeper of the impending maritime disaster.

She and the line-keeper’s wife rowed out to the government steamer Quadra, which then reached the Coloma just in time to save its crew.

Paterson’s is a fascinating story that is indicative of the rough life mariners lived on the West Coast.

But to hear the tale truly come alive, join storyteller Jennifer Ferris this Sunday, Aug. 21 at the lighthouse on the waterfront.

Ferris, based in Victoria, has told stories for 15 years.

Her interest and connection to the history of Vancouver Island has provided her with many storytelling opportunities, and she is excited to share this local tale.

The maritime centre has a permanent exhibit on Minnie Paterson and her heroic exploits. Included this year are two special items that Paterson received as rewards.

An engraved silver tray was awarded to her by the Government of Canada, while the officers and crew of the coastal steamer SS Queen City sent her a tea set—a teapot, creamer, sugar and tea waste bowl—in appreciation.

The items were donated to the Alberni Valley Museum last year, and curator Kirsten Smith said they were kept mainly as a souvenir, so they are in excellent condition.

The storytelling event begins at 2 p.m. at the lighthouse. Admission is by donation and refreshments will be provided.

For more information, please call 250-723-6161.

Or visit the website at www.alberniheritage.com and follow the links for the maritime centre.

 editor@albernivalleynews.com

A Canadian Lighthouse Passport! Why Not?

Automation, Canada, Information, Lighthouses, Passport, Souvenirs, Travel, , , ,

from the United States Lighthouse Society (USLHS) webpage . . .

USLHS Passport

The United States Lighthouse Society sponsors a Passport Program. A passport with a blue vinyl cover, similar in appearance to an official United States passport, is available through the Society and lighthouse retailers across the U.S. When you visit a participating lighthouse, you can get your passport stamped.

There are four panels on each page of the passport and each panel should have a different lighthouse stamp. When your passport is filled it will contain 60 stamps.

The stamps, designed by Society graphic designer Rusty Nelson, are a work of art. However, if you visit a lighthouse that is not participating in the program, is closed, or for whatever reason, you can’t get your passport stamped . . . take a picture of the lighthouse or cut out a logo of the lighthouse from a brochure and paste it in the square, or if you’re artistic, draw it in. When your passport is filled, send it to our office for verification (include $4.60 to cover Priority return mail postage). Continue reading A Canadian Lighthouse Passport! Why Not? →