Monday, December 21, 2009

Photo of the Day: Saddleback Ledge Lighthouse, Maine


This lighthouse at the southern end of East Penobscot Bay was a very difficult assignment for keepers. Believe it or not, the first keeper here, Watson Y. Hopkins, lived inside the tower with his wife and seven children. There were only three rooms!

In September 1843, Hopkins' wife gave birth to a baby girl. A week later, a boat came to the ledge to take the mother and daughter to the mainland. During the transfer to the boat, the baby was dropped briefly into the icy waves. She was quickly plucked out of the water before any serious harm was done.

Click here for more on this lighthouse.