Blizzards had to be the most taxing of times for keepers trying to maintain a clear path for the light to shine seaward. No sooner would the keeper sweep away the obstructing snow or ice and retreat to the protective confines of the lantern, the frigid impediments would begin gathering in blanket-like fashion once more. No matter how bitter and battering the elements were, a keeper was expected to keep the lantern panes clear. Even if the lantern had hand-holds to grab, this action required every ounce of caution, strength and guts as a pitiless wind galloped by the lighthouse unrestrained.
To properly remove the snow from the entirety of the glass surfaces, keepers would often need to boost themselves up onto the icy gallery railing to reach the upper parts of the panes. Typically during a raging snowstorm, three or four lantern panes on the windward side were the ones most adversely impacted by accumulating snow. With one hand strongly gripping the gallery railing and the other trying to maintain a firm hold on the glass-cleaning tool of choice, the keeper would pull himself along with great exertion until he arrived at the windward lantern panes. Owls Head Light shining during a snowstorm. The threat of being swept off the lantern gallery was very real when the wind was blowing great guns. The mere act of walking around a circular gallery into the face of a furious gale could be physically challenging at best, and hazardous to one’s safety at worst.
Few keeper duties proved to be more dangerous. No matter the hour of the day or the fierceness of the elements, keepers were required to venture outside onto narrow, wind-swept galleries numerous times during a single weather event to clear the panes. Under no circumstance could the guiding beams shining forth from a lighthouse be reduced in intensity, or worse, altogether obstructed, by such impediments. During heavy gales of wind, snow, rain, and hail storms, the lights must never be left unattended by a keeper.” Lighthouse keepers could not allow snow to accumulate on lantern panes and obscure the light.
Lighthouse keeper duties free#
The instructions went on to say, “During stormy and thick weather light-keepers are required to give their whole time and constant attention to the lights in their charge to keep the flames at their greatest attainable height, burning brightly and steadily, and the lantern-glass free inside and outside of moisture. This included both the interior and exterior panes.Īccording to the 1870 United States Light-House Board Instructions and Directions to Guide Light-House Keepers and Others Belonging to the Light-House Establishment, “The plate glass of the lantern must be kept at all times during the exhibition of the lights entirely free from dampness or moisture by frequently wiping it off both outside and inside with clean, dry towels.” When it came to the panes of a lantern, keepers were instructed to diligently remove any dirt, soot, condensation, frost, ice or drift snow that might accumulate upon the surface of the glass during the light’s hours of operation. Maybe not by choice, but duty called nonetheless. Looking back through lighthouse history, you might say that keepers were very good at cleaning windows. (American Lighthouse Foundation archives) JanuThere was nothing routine about keeping lantern panes clear during a snowstorm. The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lantern Pane Dutiesīy Bob Trapani, Jr.
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