The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-11

RF there is one day in the year above
I all others that the men in charge OF
n the ightships enjoy. that day Is Christ
mas. These brave fellows who keep
the lights which send their warning rays
for the guidance of the mariners have few
experiences TO vary the dull monotony OF
their lonely lives From day TO day
throughout the year, in stormy and calm
weather. they have no amusements other
than TO read the papers and magazines
from time TO time when the tenders from
the home stations visit them with sup
plies. Often this reading matter they get
is months old. Their lives are not only
monotonous. but are surrounded by dam
gers, and their comforts are few. A con-
slant vigil is kept to warn approaching
vessels OF the dangers of the shoals or the
treacherous rocks under the water which
are seemingly always waiting for some
victim to grind to pieces on their angry
edges.
All along the coast and where there are
any dangerous places these little vessels
may be seen bobbing up and down on the
crests OF the waves and Juggling at their
anchor cables. During the day large
disks are run UP to the tops of the masts,
while at night lanterns are lighted. These
indeed are welcome lights to the storm
tossed vessels. yet they seldom come with
in hailing distance. Some Of the iightshps
are stationed along the most isolated part
of the coast and for months at a time
never sight sail or see the black smoke
OF a steamer. This is the case with some
OF the hghtshipS that are stationed along
the New England coast. As soon as the
winter storms begin the vessels change
their course and the little lightships are
left to shine alone until pleasant weather
comes. 1t Is no wonder, then. that as the
days pass and the time approaches for the
tenders to make their appearance a sharp
lookout is kept for them, especially at
Christmas time, when they carry a supply
Of extra good things.
A few days before Christmas the stanch
little lighthouse tenders at the shore sta
tons are loaded down with supplies to be
sent to the PARKWAY lightships. These con-
sist Of extra rations OF soft bread and
shore food and are presented by the gov
eminent to the men who keep the lights.
Then a large supply of reading matter is
also sent to compensate In a measure for
the absence of bright and joyous surround
ings. The men on watch keep sharp
lookout for the tenders. and when they
loom up they are greeted with a shout
from the lungs Of the sturdy fellows on
the Iightships. Sometimes the weather Is
so stormy that q boat cannot be lowered.
and the supply vessel must stand or and
bob up and down until the sea becomes
more calm. While thus waiting the mega
phones are brought into use. and through
them the men hold conversations. The
coming tender Is the lghtship mems San
ia Claus and they hail 1t with untold de-
light. As the boats are sent away there
is another burst or cheers, and as they re-
turn, loaded to the guards, the men busy
themselves with hauling the stores on
board and putting them away for the
time they celebrate. The captain goes on
board the ightship to find out how every
thing is with the men and then retires with
the keeper of the lightship to the cabin,
where they talk over matters and have
some holiday refreshments
When the work is completed, the men
chat with each other until the big steam
siren Ton the tender announces that il is
time to start for the next lightship. where
the men are waiting anxiously for 'the
coming of the Christmas supplies" As the
little steamer moves away she Is cheered.
The whistle of the tender responds. and
the little craft Is watched, sometimes with
sadness, until her hull disappears below