The Republican journal., 1903-06-04
MATINICUS ROCK LIGHT.
LIFE OFF THE RUGGED COAST OF
MAINE.

Correspondence Springfield Republican,
The occasional visitor to any of the
ontlying islands of PenobScOt Bay, Me-,
does not fail to observe, far out to sea,
a huge mass of gray granite, Surmount-
ed by two cylinder-like towers, rising
abruptly from the ocean. Under TINS
rock, nearly 25 miles from the main
land, wind buffeted and storm beSleged,
there stands one of the most important
light stations on the dangerous coast OF
Maine as we'll as one of the most PIC
turesoue along the whole Atlantic sea-
board Because of its practical secur-
ity from the fiercest attacks OF the WIN
ter seas, Matinicus rock came early IN
der the notice of the United States
lighthouse department. About the year
1880 the first light was placed upon 1t.
And since then the equipment has been
gradually improved until now there are
two towers, each one 100 feet above
water level and supplied with light
which may be seen almost 20 miles
away; two engines equipped with Jog
whistles, one as a reserve III case or
accident to the other; and three dwell
lings for the keepers and their families,
besides the engine and storehouses.
The inhabitants of this isolated ocean
crag number scarcely more than halT
dozen persons: they are the head Keeper,
his three assistants, and their families.
Here they live the year round, With no
other interest than the lights which 1t
is their duty to keep burning AT all
hazards. There is not a shrub any
where upon the surface of the rock:
Not tree grows to break the fury OF
the wind. In pleasant weather the
mainland is long blue line upon the
horizon, broken where Blue Hill and
where Camden mountains rise; In
stormy weather the nearest island can
not be seen. Then nothing is visible
but the ever-surging sea, necessarily
advancing to the attack OF the little
beleagued garrison and ever seeking 10
overWhelm them.
During the rlonths of summer, life
on this lonely rock is not so beset Win
hardships as one might at first suppose.
Unless storm prevents, the keepers are
visited regularly by the lighthouse ten
der with provisions and supplies. Be
sides a small steamer which makes
semi-weekly trips with the mails be-
tween the mainland and the outlying
islands, runs out occasionally to the
station. The nearest neighbor is the
little island of MatinicuS, SIX miles TO
the west. the home of about 80 people
engaged for the most part in the cod
and lobster fisheries. When the sea is
not too rough one of the keepers may
often be seen going over to this island
in a dory for the mail and small sup
plies.
But in winter the real hardships of
this brave little band begin. After
storm such as frequently visit this
coast. the sea RACES for weeks so that
nc boat would dare venture over the
reach which separates the rock from
the nearest island, and if by miracle 1T
were to make its way across, 1t would
only be crushed for its pains at the pre-
cipitous landing. During all these
weary months the keepers are forced
to be constantly on guard against pos
Sible accident OF shortage OF Supplles.
And no one who has not experienced 1t
for himself can know anything OF the
feeling of utter isolation, the depressing
sense of solitude, against which these
imprisoned people have 10 contend
from December until April.
1t is interesting to see with What al
lection. almost. the islanders regard
this gray, Old sentinel OF the sea. Many
of them, probably, have had 10 closer
acquaintance With it than each day to
look at its familiar form, or each night
10 see it's flashing lights or listen to the
mu11ied booming of its whistle. At the
most, their own life is a lonely one, and
there naturally exists between them
and keepers of the light strong bond
of sympathy and feloW-feellng. 1t
might be supposed that long residence
on these isolated islands would harden
one to the sense of the dangers of the
sea, but such is not the case, and when
the storm is at its tiercest the Islanders
look with satisfaction on the lights and
feel that they are source of safety to
some struggling, storm endangered
crew.
1t takes an old salt to tell the many
interesting stories connected with Ma,
tinicuS rock for then you get the real
sea flavor Some of these stores serve
to illustrate something of the dangers
that men, and women, too, Ill the light
house service have to face, and what
kind of courage is required OF them.
1t would appear from its history that
this light station is not altogether Sc
cure from the onslaught OF the waves
Several times. during storms which did
great damage all along the New Eng
land coast, nave various lighthouse
buildings been swept away by the sea.
1t is related that once the waves broke
against the rock with such fury that
the spray beat i'll an upstairs window in
one of the dwellings and flooded out
the occupants of a sleeping room. At
different times the keepers, in trying to
pass from the lighthouse to Matinicus
island have been blown upon the bar
rem islands to the south and only res
cued with difficulty.
But the story which casts almost a
romantic glamour around life on this
lonely rock is that of Abby Burgess,
the Grace Darling of Maine. 1T was a
good many years ago, back in the fifties,
that Abby, the keepers daughter, agirl
in her teens, was left alone with sick
mother and several small children to
keep the lights while the father made
trip in his dory to Matinicus, intending
to return next day. During the night
d terrific storm came up. One of the
outer houses was pounded to pieces by
the breakers dashing over the rock.
And for many hours the terrified little
garrison did not know at what moment
their dwelling also would be swept
away.
The long night wore away at last
and the morning brought an abatement
of the storm. 1t was not for several