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Historic Introduction
The first lighthouse at the Isles of Shoals was erected on White Island in 1820.It
was made out of stone and wood shingles. At one time in the early years, the lighthouse
had patriotic flashing red, white and blue lights. The blue light was discontinued
because of its dimness. In 1838 it was one of the first lighthouses to have a fresnel
light installed. The lighthouse was too low for a satisfactory test of this. A different
lighting device was installed in 1841, although according to I.W.P. Lewis "The
whole construction of the apparatus bears the mark of rude workmanship" The
lamps and reflectors were not replaced with a more efficient fresnel light until
1855. In 1859 the present tower was constructed. New Hampshire's most famous poet,
Celia Thaxter, lived on the island for many years. Celia moved out to the island
when she was four. Her father had been appointed lighthouse keeper. She came to
love the island and when she got older and moved to the mainland her house was like
a jail and she couldn't wait to go to the island for the summer. Celia's poetry
about the islands became very famous and attracted a lot of attention to the island!
At age fifty-nine during a summer on Appledore Celia passed away. People believe
that her spirit stills wanders around the islands. In 1859 the United States government
built the existing tower to help fortify the seacoast. This is the tower that stands
on White Island today. It is built from bricks and stone and stands 85 feet above
mean high water. Although this lighthouse was constructed with the best materials
available at the time, a century's worth of viscous winter storms have taken their
toll. White Island Light has cracked, and is in serious danger of collapse.
White Island Historic Timeline
Colonial Times (1600-late 1700s) – White and Seavey Islands were most likely named
for early owners. Pirates frequented the Shoals. Blackbeard may have buried treasure
at the Shoals. Pirate, Sandy Gordon died when his ship the Flying Scott sunk southwest
of the Shoals. Sandy never returned to his home on White Island. It's claimed that
his bride, Martha, was left there for the rest of her life.
1820 – The first Lighthouse on White Island was constructed of rubble stone and
then covered with wood and shingles for protection against the elements. The first
keeper's cottage was a simple dwelling built of rubble stone. The U.S. Secretary
of the Treasury administered all Lighthouse Keepers.
1839 to 1846 – Thomas Laighton was lighthouse keeper on White Island. In 1939 Thomas,
his wife, Eliza, their four year old daughter, Celia and three month old son, Oscar
all went to live on White Island. In 1939 a fierce gale raged off the New England
coast. The Laighton family was safe in the keeper's cottage while they heard the
distress signals of a boat passing close by White Island There were no survivors
when the brig, Pocahontas was wrecked on a sandbar on the mainland. In 1841 Thomas
and Eliza's youngest son, Cedric, was born.
Mid 1840s -- The Laightons moved to Smuttynose Island where Thomas Laighton revived
the Isles of Shoals fishing industry and opened The Mid Ocean House to accommodate
guests. In the years to follow, the Laightons transformed the Isles of Shoals into
a favorite destination for artists, writers, musicians and other notable clientele.
Celia Laighton Thaxter became a famous author of both prose and poetry.
1852 - Oct 09, United State Lighthouse Service was established to administer lighthouses
and their keepers.
1850s - With the help of his assistant, John Bragg Downs, while acting as temporary
lighthouse keeper, courageously managed to rescue all of the crew of a Russian brig
which grounded on White Island in a gale!
1859 - The 58' cylindrical brick tower was constructed. A number two order Fresnel
lens was installed as the beacon. (This is the lighthouse which stands today.)
1878 - An ornate Victorian Keeper's cottage was built and the original keeper's
cottage was used for storage. The new house was a duplex with quarters for the families
of the keeper and assistant keeper.
1915 - United States Coast Guard was formed.
1939 - July 01, The United States Coast Guard took over the administration of lighthouses
and their keepers.
Early 1950s - The Victorian Keepers' cottage was dismantled and a more modern facility
was erected on the foundation of the original keeper's cottage.
1978 - A huge blizzard, called the Blizzard of 1978, sent waves crashing over the
island. The boat house was swept into the sea. After a 300 lb. rock smashed through
the wall of the keeper's cottage flooding it, Coast Guard officers took refuge in
the tower! Luckily the covered walkway remained in tact, so they had an escape to
the tower!
1986 - Oct 10, The White Island Lighthouse officially became automated which meant
that Coast Guard Keepers were no longer needed on the island. Without maintenance
the property started falling into a state of disrepair.
Late 1980s - The Fresnel lens was removed and replaced with a solar powered optic
light. The tool shed was washed away in an ocean storm
1992 - US Coast Guard gave White Island back to the State of New Hampshire. The
Coast Guard would still maintain the light as a navigational aid. White and Seavey
Islands, including buildings/structures became the responsibility of State of New
Hampshire, Department of Resources and Economic Development, Division of Parks and
Recreation. The NH Parks Department operates on revenues collected from tourists.
There were very few tourists visiting the remote White Island Lighthouse. Therefore
the Lighthouse Station fell into more and more disrepair.
Mid 1990s - An "Artist in Residence" program was initiated on White Island. Artists,
writers and musicians had the opportunity to sign up for a one month tranquil and
solitary summer stay on White Island. A few signed on; a few lasted the month and
some art was created.
1998-2002 - Don Stevens of Atlantic Aquasport in Rye NH had an agreement with the
State of NH to bring divers to the island.
2000 - NH Audubon Society and NH Fish and Game Department began the Tern Restoration
Project on Seavey Island.
2000 - Led by teacher, Susan Reynolds, a Community Service group of 7th graders
at North Hampton School (North Hampton NH) began efforts to save White Island Lighthouse.
2003 - On April 30, 2003 and in Washington DC, Senator Judd Gregg presented Lighthouse
Kids with a $250,000, "Save Americas' Treasures" matching grant. In September the
NH Governor and Council approved a Memorandum of Agreement between the State of
NH and Lighthouse Kids. Lighthouse Kids started working as partners with the State
to raise the funds necessary for the restoration and maintenance of White Island's
historic facilities.
2005 - Ricci Construction of Portsmouth NH repaired the historic brick tower, put
a new roof on the keeper's cottage, replaced several leaky windows and repainted
the keeper's cottage.
2007 - April 19th there was a vicious ocean storm. This storm wreaked havoc on White
Island! The newly replaced lower window on the northeast face of the tower was dislodged
and pushed in, the whitewashing below the window was washed off, the covered walkway
between the keeper's cottage and tower was destroyed. The foghorn and solar panels
for the navigational system were also destroyed. The United States Coast Guard repaired
the navigation equipment; plus they repaired the helicopter landing pad! Bill Purdy
of New Hampshire Glass went out and repaired the damaged tower window. Pickering
Marine of Portsmouth NH constructed a new marine railway!
2008 - New England Lighthouse Lovers (NELL) donated $5200 to replace leaky windows
in the keeper's cottage. Federal funds were appropriated to replace the covered
walkway.
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