The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-17
PRICE TWO CENTS.
THE LIGHT AT MT. DESERT.
GROUHDLESS FEARS THAT THE STOBM
MAD SWEPT IT AWAY
HenppearinR Amer Pour Nights OF Darkness
"A Revenue Cutter sent Out TO Inquire
into the Condition OF the Keeper aud Family,

HenppeHrinR Amer Four Nights OF nnr7ness
A Revenue Cutter sent Out TO Iaquire
into the Condition ofthe Keeper and Family.
BANGOR, Me, Dec. 16.-Of from the coast
OF Maine there Hes tho famed Island OF Mount
Desert. The western shore OF this island is
washed by tho waters OF the Penobscot Bay its
eastern by tho waters OF Frenchman's Bay and
the southern by tho bleak waves Of the stormy
Atlantic. The maRni1cence OF it's lake and
mountain scenery and tho healthfulnoss and
saubrity OF the climate have combined to make
tho island n famous resort for the fashionable
people OF Now York and other cities to sojourn
at during the hot and sultry months OF summer,
and have made the name OF Mount Desert
known the world over. But those who visit the
romantic island in those pleasant summer days
have an Inadequate conception OF tho spectacle
presented when tho mad ocean beats in all the
fury OF November or December gale against
tho rocky shores. About twenty milos 10 the
southwark Of the island Is q barren rock. small
in surface aud surrounded by the wide waste OF
ocean. 1t is called Mount Desert Rock, and
upon it is built lighthouse. There was also
on the rock a strongly built house OF stone. in
which the keeper and his family lived. and
wooden shod used for the storage Of wood.
Last Tuesday night there swept along the
coast OF Maine in common with the other
northern Atlantic States one OF tho severest
gales that has boon experienced In this latitude
for years On the shores Of Mount Desert and
tho other islands around the mouth OF the
Penobscot and on the main land It was very
severe. and out on Mount Desert Rock II must
have boon terribly wild. The rock is so far dis
tant that only in tho very clearest weather eau
the lighthouse be seen from Mount Desert in
tho daytime. In the nighttime. however the
bright fixed light IS plainly visible. On We'd
nesday evening the night after the storm. no
light was seen in the direction OF the rock.
Grave fears were entertained that the light
house had been washed away. and that the keep
or and his family had perished. Thursday aud
Friday nights passed and the long ookod-for
light was still missing. Then the belief became
general that disaster must have bcfallen tho
lighthouse. and IL was generally supposed that
tho house and It's inmates had been sunk be-
meath the waves Owing to the roughness OF the
sea. there could be no communication with the
rock. Tho Custom House officials In the dis
trict were notified. and revenue cutter. UNDER
stood 10 bc tn" ono at Portland. has been or
dered 10 visit tho rock and learn tho exact
trouble. On Saturday night the gazers in the
direction OF the rock discovered a light. Thore
has boon no communication as yet. and tho
cause Of tho Obscuratiun Is not explained. The
reapuenrance Of the light Is n sure indication
that the lighthouse stands. Whether the house
was badly damaged by the gale. whether there
has been sickness among the keeper and his
family. or whether the trouble was something
entirely different. Will be conIcctura until the
revenue cutter returns from her visit.