The relief takes place every 28 days, and is done by the District Steamer, when the weather permits. There are two types of Rock Station, Island and Tower at an island rock one is able to get exercise, but at a tower rock there is greater confinement as it is built on a rock which is covered at high water. In my case it happened that with the exception of SOUTER POINT (near South Shields) and DOVER PIER, all my service has been in the South-West (Devon and Cornwall) but others have served further afield including the Channel Islands.Ī newly appointed Keeper is usually sent first to a Rock Station, that is one isolated out at sea, where he lives with 2 comrades for 2 months. When promoted to Assistant Keeper I served as such for the next 24 years (with certain periodical increases of pay) at nine different stations. These several courses qualified me to do duty at any type of Lighthouse and in fact I did periods of duty at 11 rock stations and 4 shore stations during my 2 years as Supernumerary Assistant Keeper. Next I had to have practical instruction in the management of a Lantern actually at a Shore Lighthouse, then in the maintenance of a Fog Signal equipment at an Engine Station, that is a station having machinery to drive the Fog Signal, and finally at an Electric Light Station where engines are used to run the generators supplying the power for the Light. I had, therefore, to undergo instruction in signalling and maintenance of petroleum vapour burners, and also in the use of tools to enable me to do ordinary minor repairs. Supernumerary Assistant Keepers are called upon to do duty at any Lighthouse, vice Assistant Keepers who may be sick or on leave, and also for quarterly duty at Rock Lighthouses. In attempting to give some account of that in a few pages I think it would be best if my description of it is based closely on my own Service of 36 years to date.Īt the age of 22 I entered the Trinity House Service as a Supernumerary Assistant Keeper.
I think it is true to say that although the general public appreciate vaguely the value of lighthouses, a very small percentage have ever visited a Lighthouse and still fewer have any idea of the life and duties of a Lightkeeper. A Lightkeeper's Life: A personal narrative by a Senior Principal Keeper.