While researching census records for several members of my father's family I discovered many were employed by the United States Lighthouse Service. These ancestors immigrated to Baltimore in 1886, residing in the city until around the mid 1900's.
As long as I can remember my father had an affinity for all things related to lighthouses. He had a collection, and many books relating to the subject. I had always thought his interest stemmed from the fact that he was in the United States Navy, wish I had asked more questions!
Wikipedia has the following information about the United States Lighthouse Service:
The United States Lighthouse Service, also known as the Bureau of Lighthouses, was the agency of the US Federal Government that was responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of all lighthouses in the United States from the time of its creation in 1910 until 1939. It was the successor of the Lighthouse Board.
In 1910, 11,713 aids to navigation of all types were around the country. Congress abolished the U.S. Light-House Board and created the Bureau of Lighthouses under the Department of Commerce.
The Board had hired a number of civilians and many of these experienced people took over the roles that the military officers had been playing. Though initially called inspectors, the civilian heads of the districts changed their titles to superintendent. Also at this time, the placement of aids to navigation along rivers had become the responsibility of the Lighthouse Service, and many of these aids were tended on a part-time basis by local citizens called lamp lighters and lamp attendants.
Several interesting facts from "Chronology of Aids to Navigation and the United States Lighthouse Service, 1716-1939" by the United States Coast Guard:
1716-The Boston Lighthouse was illuminated, making it the first lighthouse established in what would later become The United States.
1719-A cannon was placed near the Boston Lighthouse "to answer ships in a fog," becoming the first fog signal established in America.
1866-By this date, most of the lights that had become discontinued during the Civil War had been repaired and re-lighted.
1876-The Lighthouse Service began installing libraries on all lightships and inaccessible off—shore stations.
1880-Congress asserted that "masters of lighthouse tenders shall have police powers in matters pertaining to government property and smuggling."
1855- The U. S. Lighthouse Service investigated the use of steam whistles as fog signals.
During the time frame that my ancestors were part of the service:
1916-Congress provided that "light keepers and assistant light keepers of the Lighthouse Service shall be entitled to medical relief without charge at hospitals and other stations of the Public Health Service under the rules and regulations governing the seamen of the merchant marine."
The Naval Appropriations Act provided for the mobilization of the Lighthouse Service in time of war by authorizing the President, "whenever in his judgment a sufficient national emergency exists, to transfer to the service and jurisdiction of the Navy Department, or of the War Department, such vessels, equipment, stations and personnel of the Lighthouse Service as he may deem to the best Interest of the country."
Further information:
The Modern Light-house Service by Arnold Burges Johnson, United States Light-House Board
The United States Lighthouse Service, 1915 by United States. Bureau of Light-Houses
As long as I can remember my father had an affinity for all things related to lighthouses. He had a collection, and many books relating to the subject. I had always thought his interest stemmed from the fact that he was in the United States Navy, wish I had asked more questions!
Wikipedia has the following information about the United States Lighthouse Service:
The United States Lighthouse Service, also known as the Bureau of Lighthouses, was the agency of the US Federal Government that was responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of all lighthouses in the United States from the time of its creation in 1910 until 1939. It was the successor of the Lighthouse Board.
In 1910, 11,713 aids to navigation of all types were around the country. Congress abolished the U.S. Light-House Board and created the Bureau of Lighthouses under the Department of Commerce.
The Board had hired a number of civilians and many of these experienced people took over the roles that the military officers had been playing. Though initially called inspectors, the civilian heads of the districts changed their titles to superintendent. Also at this time, the placement of aids to navigation along rivers had become the responsibility of the Lighthouse Service, and many of these aids were tended on a part-time basis by local citizens called lamp lighters and lamp attendants.
Several interesting facts from "Chronology of Aids to Navigation and the United States Lighthouse Service, 1716-1939" by the United States Coast Guard:
1716-The Boston Lighthouse was illuminated, making it the first lighthouse established in what would later become The United States.
1719-A cannon was placed near the Boston Lighthouse "to answer ships in a fog," becoming the first fog signal established in America.
1866-By this date, most of the lights that had become discontinued during the Civil War had been repaired and re-lighted.
1876-The Lighthouse Service began installing libraries on all lightships and inaccessible off—shore stations.
1880-Congress asserted that "masters of lighthouse tenders shall have police powers in matters pertaining to government property and smuggling."
1855- The U. S. Lighthouse Service investigated the use of steam whistles as fog signals.
During the time frame that my ancestors were part of the service:
1916-Congress provided that "light keepers and assistant light keepers of the Lighthouse Service shall be entitled to medical relief without charge at hospitals and other stations of the Public Health Service under the rules and regulations governing the seamen of the merchant marine."
The Naval Appropriations Act provided for the mobilization of the Lighthouse Service in time of war by authorizing the President, "whenever in his judgment a sufficient national emergency exists, to transfer to the service and jurisdiction of the Navy Department, or of the War Department, such vessels, equipment, stations and personnel of the Lighthouse Service as he may deem to the best Interest of the country."
Further information:
The Modern Light-house Service by Arnold Burges Johnson, United States Light-House Board
The United States Lighthouse Service, 1915 by United States. Bureau of Light-Houses
Think a lighthouse tour is someplace in the future. Ahoy!
Fascinating! Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteIf they were in Balitmore perhaps they worked at Thomas Point Lighthouse in Annapolis?
ReplyDeletehttp://tangledtrees.blogspot.com/2010/01/thomas-point-shoal-lighthouse.html