Some of our Visotors

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Visitors

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During the two years I was stationed there we had a few visitors although it was it was not a common occurrence. One of the more memorable ones was when a friend from the station at Boothbay Harbor came out to visit. This was somewhat undercover because as I mentioned earlier I was supposed to inform Boothbay Harbor if I went ashore. Because it was not informing but asking permission we would leave the island for short periods of time. We ever left the station unmanned at any time while I was in charge. Occasionally one of us would leave to bring someone out or something of that nature. This was done primarily during the summer and only during ideal weather conditions.

The friend I brought out, I am not sure to this day if he re-enlisted or not but he was a very dedicated Coastguardsman. Hit shoes were spit-polished and his clothes were always perfectly ironed and he dressed immaculately. He never swore and was a gentleman's gentleman. One afternoon I went ashore to Newagen and brought him to the island. He had brought some steaks and we grilled the steaks out on the patio and had a couple drinks. He might have had a couple more than he needed but we weren't drunk as we knew we had the boat ride to Newagen when he was ready to leave so we just sat and chatted and enjoyed the afternoon and evening.

We got ready to go to shore and there he was all togged out in his finest with his shined shoes with about a quarter of an inch of polish on them and his neatly pressed dress pants. I pushed the boat down to the water and got in. he came down and was going to push the boat off and hop in as it drifted clear of the ramp. The tide was about halfway down and the ramp was covered with algae and was extremely slippery. Anyway he slipped and landed square on his derriere sliding into the water about up to his waist. My wife was up on the ramp and I was in the boat and knowing how he was about his appearance we roared with laughter. He was not impressed. He sat in the water for just a few seconds, as the ocean water isn't very warm and shouted to the skies. I had never heard him use this language before so it really was a riot. We finally got through laughing at him and he got into the boat, soaking wet for the ride to shore. We did apologize to him for getting such enjoyment from his mishap. We just told him we lived a pretty sheltered life out there and didn't have that sort of entertainment on a regular basis. I couldn’t let him have my dry clothes because I was much smaller than he, and I knew they wouldn't fit. On the way to shore he mentioned his shoes at least 10 times remarking on how bad the salt water was on shoes. It was all I could do to keep from laughing even more. He was one of the relief keepers sent from Boothbay to relieve us when we went to shore and this was how we had met. Sometimes relieving us, and sometimes the assistant. He was a great guy and didn't get upset and we had many a good chuckle over that night on the times he was to come later for the relief thing.

One night around 11 o'clock during the summer I was in the quarters doing something. I don't remember what now but I thought I heard something outside. This was extremely unusual so I didn't turn any more lights on or anything but I went out the back door and saw a young man standing there. I asked what he wanted and was doing on the island as it was private. I personally didn't care but it he was hurt then it would be the Coast Guard's responsibility and therefore I sort of had no choice but to ask him to leave. Everyone on the station heard us talking so it ended up that he was there with three other friends and had come out from Squirrel Island. I showed them around the station and told them a little about it then helped them into their boat and off the island. I guess we talked to them for an hour or two, as they were interested in the island. It gave us a break as we so seldom saw anyone. It wasn't really that cool to have someone snooping around the place at night but I figured they were just kids and enjoyed the visit. They probably remember it more vividly than I do. They were the only uninvited guests we ever had while I was there.

During the first few months on the island a free lance photographer came out and took some pictures of my wife and I. I don’t know why my wife was there, but it might have been just to visit as the Coast Guard had banned her from the island because she was pregnant. I am not even sure if I went to shore to get them or if the Coast Guard brought them. Anyway he took the pictures he wanted and then they left. The pictures are beautiful but the day they were taken was cold and windy. He sent us copies of many of the pictures he took and I hate to admit it but I can't locate them. The main ones are in the November issue of Downeast Magazine. I can't remember what year but I think it was 1970. It shows the assistant keeper also and has my wife and I on the tower. It is a good thing to remember and I still have the magazine but it is very worn from the years showing it to my friends and family.

Another visitor was Edward Rowe Snow. He was known as I believe "The Flying Santa Clause" and he visited but again I don’t remember the date. With his visit we got our picture in the Boston Herald. I have that clipping too but it is badly worn also.

The Sunbeam, I believe a missionary boat, sent Christmas gifts both Christmas' we were there. This was very nice of them and we still have some of the things that came in their package. They send to all of the lighthouse keepers I believe, but I am not sure.

Visitors were rare and we appreciated anyone coming. Occasionally our relatives visited but the chief in Boothbay Harbor was such incredible jerk about this type of thing and I was in constant fear of him doing something really nasty to us. Playing with our time off was his favorite pastime so I always had to be on guard about him.

I think that overall my parents were the main visitors. They didn't come often but fairly often as Dad was a lobsterman and his boat was in the water all year and he was only a half-hour or so away from the island. They always brought things over and helped us out as well as making sure they offered at least to pick things up for the other family on the island. When they came over by boat the personnel at Boothbay Harbor didn’t have to know a thing about it because I just went to the mooring to pick them up. I was only off the island for 5 minutes at a time and this could easily be covered if someone called.