The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1882-12-28
A Watchman's Eventful Life,

Captain Oliver N. Brooks, who fol
thlrty-one years has kept burning the
light on Faulkner's Island, in Lono
Island Sound, has resigned, and quit the
scene OF his faithful labors. The New
haven Pdttadium, which gives an In
terestlng sketch of the Captains life on
the little island, says that he has assisted
over 100 vessels which have been
wrecked or grounded on the treacherols
reel. About seven years since. the
freight propeller E. w. Woodward was
stranded on the reef during a terrible
winters storm. The crew were taken
OFT by Captain Brooks, and remained
several days on the island. Suddenly
the vessel tloated and drifted to another
position; the crew went off and attempted
to save her. A gale setting in, the men
were unable to return. and were in i'm
mediate danger of perishing. Captain
Brooks then collected all the cordaee on
the island, and at one time had deter
mined to take down the beds and use the
bed cords. Splicing a long line from
the dlfferent-sized cordage, 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 paid out the line and allowed
The boat to drift down upon the fated YES
sci, while the nephew directed the frail
craft. Fortunately the boat tloated
within three feet of the steamers bow.
and by means of this lifeline the seven
seaman 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 10 remain on the main
land SIX days, owing to the severe wealth
er On al occasions of storm the
Islanders have been cut off from shore for
four weeks. In 1859 Captain Brooks
rescued hve persons from stranded
schooner. The crew took to the rigging.
and the wife of the schooner's captainw;1s
lashed 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 re-
turning tide. Eight total wrecks have
occurred at the islsnd during Captain
Brooks long term Of service. Not many
years since Captain 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 De-
partment stop at the island at stated
intervals, VIZ: the Mistletoe, which car
ries engineers supplies; the Fern, with
oil. coal, ETC.; the Putnam, of the In
spectors' Department., and the Cactus.
which carries general supplies and pro-
visions, and is used as a buoy-setter.
The Fern calls once year, but the other
steamers call more frequently, Captain
brown, of the Lighthouse Board, offered
captain Brooks furlough of one wear
and the promise of good position on
shore If he would remain in the service,
1ut the veteran lightmaster declined.
The Captains family consists of his wife |
md two daughters-daughters true and
,raye, who have shared their fathers |
'eril in the rescue of many poor cast.
way seaman. Mary once accombanied
Ter father. out in the boat and assisted in
ne rescue of several shipwrecked sailors.
The rescuers rowed out in. the face of a
snow storm and carried blankets |
o the almost frozen men. This daughter
s an expert at the oar and has several
ines assisted her father in seasons of
'eril, sometimes putting on male attire
or convenience.