Item # HL273
Keepers began tending a light on Boon Island as early as 1811, when the first of three towers would be erected. The first two sentinels were weather worn and deemed inadequate, so a 133-foot tall, granite tower was erected in 1855. The unpainted, gray beacon was accompanied by keeper's quarters, which now lie in ruins. The Second order Fresnel lens provided a much- needed light, but required constant attention by a dedicated Keeper.Keeper William W. Williams spent 27 years from the 1890's to World War I at Boon Island, bringing barrels of dirt to plant flowers and vegetables on the rock. He used carrier pigeons to transport messages to the mainland. He once said that the worst job he has ever had was painting the cap of the lantern black. Tragic tales of loss occurred over the years, including a wife who'd gone mad when her husband unexpectedly died and she was left on her own for weeks. There were stories of Keepers who sent messages in bottles, pleading for food and rescue, and of pounding waves that overtook the island, washing away the resolve of its inhabitants.
Boon Island is leased to the American Lighthouse Foundation and it is still an active aid to navigation. The island is currently uninhabited and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It can be enjoyed from the deck of a private ship or from the lighthouse cruise offered by the Isles of Shoals Steamship Company in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Timed limited edition. -- $75.95
