|
In a Lighthouse Digest sponsored ceremony, the memory of 16 lighthouse keepers were honored this past September 28th with the placement of lighthouse keeper grave markers at the Mt. Height Cemetery in Southwest Harbor, Maine.
This was the largest Lighthouse Digest sponsored ceremony held thus far and was attended by over 100 descendants of the 16 lighthouse keepers. Participants in the ceremony included a large contingent of Aids to Navigation and other personnel from the United States Coast Guard in Southwest Harbor, Maine, who also provided the Color Guard. The flag ceremony and gun volley was provided by the Maine State Air Force – Bangor.
Speakers included Jeff Gales, Executive Director of the United States Lighthouse Society; Chief Brian Hawkins, OIC, ATN, U.S. Coast Guard, Southwest Harbor, Maine; Cornelia Cesari, President of the Friends of Baker Island; and Timothy Harrison, editor of Lighthouse Digest. A few descendants of the keepers also made remarks and Stephen Sanfilippo and Jim Sherman of the sea chanty group “From Away Downeast,” sang such songs as “Let the Lower Lights Be Burning,” “Semper Paratus,” and “Let the Light From the Lighthouse Shine on Me.” Debra Baldwin of Lighthouse Digest led the audience in the singing of “Legend of the Lighthouse.”
The September 28 ceremony was covered by three Maine television stations: Fox 22, ABC-7, and WABI –CBS-TV-5. Cosponsoring the event with Lighthouse Digest were Matthew Mace; Al Michaud; John and Becky Burnham; Keepers of Baker Island; and others who donated toward the event.
This past July, Lighthouse Digest sponsored another ceremony that was held at this same cemetery to honor seven other lighthouse keepers who are also buried there, which makes a total 23 lighthouse keepers who are known to be buried at this one cemetery.
The Keepers Honored and Where They Served. Vinal O. Beal: Mt. Desert Rock Light 1909 – 1918, Franklin Island Light 1918 – 1919, Great Duck Island Light 1919 – 1921, Seguin Island Light 1921 – 1924, Mt. Desert Rock Light 1924 - 1930
George S. Conners: Libby Island Light 1895 – 1899, Whitehead Light 1899 – 1902, Baker Island Light 1902 – 1913
Willis Dolliver: Mt. Desert Rock Light 1887 – 1890, Great Duck Island Light 1891 – 1894, Bass Harbor Head Light 1894 – 1921
Thomas Frank Faulkingham: Saddleback Ledge Light 1919 – 1921, Great Duck Island Light 1921 – 1923, Moose Peak Light 1923 – 1932, Baker Island Light 1932 – 1941
Arthur E. Ginn: Mt. Desert Rock Light 1923 – 1927, Boon Island Light 1921 – ?, Cuckolds Light ?
Paul Kessler: Moose Peak Light 1952, Libby Island Light 1953, West Quoddy Light 1954 – 1956
Rufus King: Mt. Desert Rock Light 1853 – 1859
Vurney L. King: Saddleback Ledge Light 1903 – 1914, Baker Island Light 1915 – 1930, Dyce Head Light 1931 – 1935
Amos B. Newman: Mt. Desert Rock Light 1870 – 1881
Charles H. Newman: Mt. Desert Rock Light 1902 – 1909, Monhegan Island Light 1909 – 1911, Pumpkin Island Light 1911 – 1921
Marnel R. Newman: Saddleback Ledge Light 1905 – 1906, Goose Rocks Light 1906 – 1907, Saddleback Ledge Light 1908
William J. Newman: Mt. Desert Rock Light 1890 – 1896
Clifford M. Robbins: Egg Rock Light 1902, Rockland Breakwater 1902 – 1909
Fred M. Robbins: Mt. Desert Rock Light 1898 – 1900, West Quoddy Light 1900 – 1901, Mt. Desert Rock Light 1902 – 1911, Heron Neck Light 1911 – 1930
Howard P. Robbins: Mt. Desert Rock Light 1878 – 1882, Blue Hill Bay Light 1882 – 1888, Baker Island Light 1888 – 1902, Rockland Breakwater 1902 – 1909
William Stanley: Mt. Desert Rock Light 1882 – 1883, Monhegan Island Light 1883 – 1902
|
