Nevertheless, many of these intrepid widows, and women appointed in their own right, served their country for many years with distinction in a time when employment for women was extremely limited.
#LIFE AS A LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER PROFESSIONAL#
Typically those appointed as keepers were actually the spouse of the assistant or head keeper they assumed these professional duties to assist their spouse or took over when their husbands became ill and/or died. government jobs that were open to women were positions as lighthouse keepers, although others did serve in staff positions at the various district and headquarter offices.
All your communications intended for this office, must be transmitted through the Superintendent, and through whom the proper answer will be returned.Women Lighthouse Keepers Breaking the Barrier: Women Lighthouse Keepers and Other Female Employees of the U.S. You will not absent yourself from the Light-house at any time, without first obtaining the consent of the Superintendent, unless the occasion be so sudden and urgent as not to admit of an application to that officer in which case, by leaving a suitable substitute, you may be absent for twenty-four hours.ĩ. Should the contractors omit to supply the quantity of oil, wicks, tube-glasses, or other articles necessary to keep the lights in continual operation, you will give the Superintendent timely notice thereof, that he may inform the contractors and direct them to forward the requisite supplies.Ĩ. Morgan & Co., at New Bedford, are bound to supply, which shall not be of suitable kind and if the oil they supply, should, on trial, prove bad, you will immediately acquaint the Superintendent therewith, in order that he may exact from them a compliance with this contract.ħ. You will receive no tube-glasses, wicks, or any other article which the contractors, Messr. You are not to sell, or permit to be sold, any spirituous liquors on the premises of the United States but will treat with civility and attention, such strangers as may visit the Light house under your charge, and as may conduct themselves in an orderly manner.Ħ. You are to keep an exact amount of the quantity of oil received from time to time the number of gallons, quarts, gills, &c., consumed each night and deliver a copy of the same to the Superintendent every three months, ending 31 March, 30 June, 30 September, and 31 December, in each year with an account of the quantity on hand at the time.ĥ. In order to maintain the greatest degree of light during the night, the wicks are to be trimmed every four hours, taking care that they are exactly even on the top.Ĥ. You are to be careful that the lamps, reflectors, and lanterns, are constantly kept clean, and in order and particularly to be careful that no lamps, wood, or candles, be left burning any where as to endanger fire.ģ. You are to light the lamps every evening at sun-setting, and keep them continually burning, bright and clear, till sun-rising.Ģ. In April 1835, the first official List of Instructionswas issued to all United States Light Keepers and read as follows:ġ. To The Keepers of Lighthouses Within the U. Used to keep the lamps lit, oil was a precious commodity. Many a widow replaced her husband as keeper who died in service of the Lighthouse Board.Īs early as 1809, keepers were expected to keep records of their oil usage. Many keepers supplemented their incomes with other activities. Lewis felt “the best keepers are found to be old sailors, who are accustomed to watch at night.” Light-house Survey, remarked that it was not uncommon for a light gradually to disappear between 3 and 4 a.m. The keeper’s routine was to light the lamps at twilight, then trim the wicks between 11 and 12 at night. With a few exceptions, only one keeper was appointed per station however, some keepers took it upon themselves to hire an assistant. Keeper’s had no formal instructions, but a certain level of efficiency was expected. Lighthouse Keepers in the Nineteenth CenturyĪt the beginning of the nineteenth century, keeper appointments and dismissals were approved by the President, and choices were often political.
A star designated 25 years and bars were added beyond that for each five years.
Each five years up to 20 years was represented by one embroidered bar. To indicate longevity, lighthouse personnel wore gold service stars and bars on the lower sleeve.
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