The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1896-02-07
THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER.
On Destruction Island He Has Man
Things to Relieve tho MonOtOpy

On Destruction Island He Has Many
Things to Relieve tho Monotony.
The keeper of the government light
house which was established a few years
ago on Destruction island doubtless leads
Il lonely life, but he has some experiences
which Il lover of the romantic and the
adventurous might well covet. The isl
and itself is not without Il certain weird
fascination. Tlirty-tive miles south Of
Cape Flattery it rises abruptly from the
face Of the ocean.
1t has n picturesque, though wild and
rugged beauty, and it stands facing the
northern blasts that have sent more
calls UP the maine of Isle dc Dolores.
which the early Spanish navigator. Qua
dra, gave it to commemorate his mis-
fortune, and the later name of DeStruc
ton island, given it in 1887 by C;o,.
Berkeley on account of the sad fate o,
several Of his crew who were murdered
on it's savage cuast. On wild and stormy
into foam against the bectling edges of
the island. the scene passes the merely
beautiful and becomes ma jestic and s,i-
lime.
On such nights the keeper has visitors
that do not come to the door Of the
ordinary lanl-ubbcr. Flocks of wild
fowl. attracted by the bright light. fly
the wind added to that of their own
stout wings. they are driven against the
lens with Il momentum that sometimes
Sha tiers the Trick glasE. but uftener re-
suits merely i'll instant drutl, of the
birds. Sometimes there is |; positive vol
ley Of birds against the face Of the light.
and as many as a dozen have been known
to strike it simultaneously. After q
stormy night ii is not uncommon for
the Keeper to pick ~ at TIL" base of the
tower as many as twenty-five dead birds.
Many of these are of the choicest kind.
and the Keepers table seldom lacks Il
supply such as all cpicurc might crave.
During the. day the keeper is frequent
ly greeted by the thrilling" sight Of Il
whale hunt by Indians in the neigllor-
ing waters, a chose as hazardous and OK
citing as any ON mountain or plain. Each
canoe goes out with a crew of six oars
men, one sportsman i'll the bow, and the
captain Oh hclnlsnlall i'll the stern. To
the end Of the spear an alright steal
skin, inflated like bladder is attached
by Il line fifty feet long. \ dozen of
these boats go out together when Il whale
is sighted. Stealthily Il single boat moves
out from the little fleet and approaches
the big game. the oarsln"n Stocial and
calm. the sportsman erect. rigid and
statueSQuc. 1t is Il moment of grave
peril.
\ splaShiny oar. Il sudden move. Il
wavering hand or hot head at the helm
and boat and crew would go down By
Meath Il single stroke from the great
monster how so near At precisely the
right instant tho sportsman hurlS his
spear with unerring aim. and the battle
begins. And then one standing OH the
island cliff secs the little boat dart away
and the whale tiercely churning the wa
ter The other boats come up rapidly
Weakened by loss of blood, retarded 10y
the alright skins that float on the water
and worn out by turning hither and
thther in whimsical pursuit of his many
foes. the whale slowly gives over the I'M
equal contest and is lowed ut last, like
| great hulk of Il merchantmen. to Nrah
! bay. where the Indians gather for Il great
! feast Seattle PoSt-Intclligenccr