Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-06
AN OLD LEGRTKEEPER.


Capt. Oliver N. Brooks, who for thirty-one
years has kept burning the light on Faulkner's
Island, in Long Island Sound. has resigned and
will quit the scene of his faithful labors on the
18th Of December. The New Haven Palladium,
which gives an interesting sketch of the cap
tain's life on the little island, says that he has
assisted over 100 vessels which, have been
wrecked or grounded on the treacherous reef
About seven years since the freight propeller E.
W. Woodward was stranded on the reef during
terrible winters storm. The crew were taken
OIL by Captain Brooks and remained several DAYS
on the island. Suddenly the vessel foated and
drlfted to another position; the crew went
OH and attempted to save her. A gale set
ting in, the men were unable to return, and
were in Immediate danger of perishing. Cap
tain Brooks then collected all the cOrdage on
the Island, and at one time had determined to
take down the beds and use the bed cords.
Splicing long line from the different sized cor
dage he and his nephew, who very fortunately
was on the island dragged their boat on the
Ice as far from the shore as possible. Brooks
payed out the line and allowed the boat to drift
down upon the fated vessel, while the nephew
directed the frail craft. Fortunately the boat
fOated within three feet Of the steamers bow,
and by means of this life line the seven seamen
on board were rescued, some Of them more
dead than alive, owing to the severe cold. The
rescued men remained fourteen DAYS on the
island. and when Captain Brooks landed them
at GuilfOrd he was obliged to remain on the
main land six days, owing to the severe weather.
On several occasions Of storm the islanders have
been cut off from the shore for four weeks In
1889 Captain Brooks rescued five persons from
stranded schooner. The crew took to the
rigging, and the wife of the schooner's captain
was dashed to the masthead Just before the
rescue the mate in climbing into the rigging,
with the captains babe, dropped it into the
sea.
In some years thirty vessels have touched
bottom at the island. Very many vessels would
float with the returning tide. Eight total wrecks
have occurred at the island during Capt Brooks
long term of service. Not many years since
Capt. Brooks went out in the night at great
personal peril and rescued the crew of the old
eastern schooner Ferguson. For his bravery
and humanity he has received many tokens Of
reward.
Four steamers of the lighthouse department
stop at the island at stated intervals viz the
Mlstletoe, which carries engineers supplies;
the Fern, with OIL coal. etc; the Put
nam. of the inspectors department. and
the Cactus. which carries general supplies
and provisions, and is used as buoy setter.
The Fern calls once year. but the other steam
ers call more frequently. Capt. Brown, of the
lighthouse board. offered Capt. Brooks fur
Tough of one year and the promise of O good
position on shore if he would remain in the
service, but the veteran light-master declined
The Captains family consists of his wife and
two Observation-Disclosures true and brave, who
have shared their fathers peril in the rescue of
many poor castaway seaman. Mary once
accompanied her father out in the boat and as
sisted in the rescue of several shipwrecked
sailors. The reScuers rowed out in the face of
binding snow storm and carried blankets to
the almost frozen men. This daughter is an
expert at the oar. and has several times assisted
her father in seasons of peril. sometimes put
ting on male attire for convenience