Lighthouse Keeper's Rescue by Greg Marlett

The events of March 16, 1865.

Around 1 AM in the morning, Eben Emerson, the lighthouse keeper at Wood Island Light, Maine, left his bed after a sleepless night. There was a raging storm outside and the sound of thundering surf and howling wind filled the air. Emerson always had difficulty sleeping during a storm, but in any case it was time for him to get up and trim the wicks in the lamps at the top of the light tower. Even though the storm and swirling fog was likely to diminish the visibility of the light on this night.

Finishing up his nightly chores, he opened his door to see if the storm was worsening. Above the din of the storm he heard a human voice calling out in the darkness. Eben called back and immediately attempted to launch his wherry into the towering breakers. Unable to launch his boat he went to a neighbor's house on the island, belonging to a fisherman and solicited his assistance. Together they successfully launched the wherry through the surf and fog and headed out to the grounded ship. In danger of being swamped by the huge waves, the two men arrived at the stricken Canadian Brig, which had lodged on Washburn's Ledge. The crew was hanging to the ropes in terror, and after several attempts Eben and his neighbor got close enough to allow Eben to leap onboard the ship. The brig was listing badly, was taking on water, and receiving a terrible pounding from the waves.

Eben quickly mobilized the captain and crew. One of the two life boats had already been launched but had immediately capsized. Working quickly, Eben directed the reluctant crew to climb into the remaining life boat, which was hanging by davits out over the water. As he worked his way back slowly to the ship's rail, he heard screams coming from below deck. He rushed below, to find two terrified, white guinea pigs in the half submerged cabin. Stuffing one in each pocket, we ran back to the deck. After several unsuccessful attempts, Eben's neighbor manning the wherry, was finally able to row close enough to the brig for Eben to leap aboard. The two of them then rowed together next to the life boat which was still hanging off the side of the ship.
They tossed a guide rope to the crew in the lifeboat and had them cut their boat loose at the next extra high sea, which they did. Now successfully launched, and attached by the guide rope to the wherry, both boats rowed back to the island through the maelstrom. As they left the side of the brig and headed back to the safety of the island,they both heard and saw the ship break into to pieces.

The stricken Canadian brig was the "Edyth Ann" out of Nova Scotia. It was bound from Puerto Rico to Portland Maine with a load of sugar and molasses, before running into the storm. The ship and cargo were a total loss, but there were no injuries to the crew, or its pets. For his bravery and heroism, Ebenezer Emerson was awarded a citation and pair of bronze binoculars in a rosewood case by the British Government in Canada

The foregoing account is based on a newspaper article found in the Union and Journal of Biddeford, Maine, March 31, 1865, a copy of which is on file with the Maine State Historical, Portland. Maine.

Lighthouse Keepers Log: Wood Island Light off the coast of Biddeford Pool, Maine
"A few years worth of noteworthy events at the Wood Island Lighthouse ( between 1865-1873)"

3/16/1865, 1:00 AM. Lighthouse keeper Ebenezer Emerson hears cries for help coming from the brig "Edyth Ann" of Nova Scotia, which had run aground on Washburn Ledge in a storm. The ship was loaded with molassas and sugar from Puerto Rico, bound for Portland, Maine. Emerson, with the aid of a neighboring fisherman, made his way out to the ship from Wood Island and rescued the imperiled crew. In June of 1865, Emerson was awarded a citation for heroism from the Canadian (British) Government, for his actions. He also received a pair of brass binoculars in a rosewood case and a plaque.

Local Ship Wrecks in close proximity to Wood Island Light:

1864 - The steamship "Bohemian" bound from Liverpool, England to Portland, Maine, with 218 passengers is wrecked off of Cape Elizabeth in Saco Bay. Unclear if there were any survivors.

1867, September. The American Schooner "Game Cock" holed on a rock and run onto the beach, with a cargo of fish.

1869, October. The "Nellie Grant" runs aground and sinks, off Biddeford Pool.

1869, December, The "Eva" runs aground and is wrecked, off from Old Orchard Beach.

1869. A large storm downs many trees on Wood Island and a subsequent fire takes the rest.

1872, December 24th. The American Schooner, "Smith Tuttle" of Wiscasset Maine runs aground and ashore on Wood Island, with no injuries.

1872, December 24th. The American Schooner "Intrepid" with 15 tons of iron onboard, strikes the outer reef of Wood Island ledge. The captain and crew make it safetly to the lighthouse. The captain's wife has smallpox and is cared for by keeper's family.

1872, December 24th The ship "Virginia" also runs aground on Wood Island ledge, but is able to free itself the same day and makes it to Biddeford Pool safety.

(Authors note: December 24, 1872 must have been stormy, and or foggy)

1873. The Wood Island Light is fitted with a fog-bell tower, with a Stevens striking apparatus and a cast steel bell weighing 1,315 pounds.

Gregory Marlett, Copyright 2008, All Rights Reserved