![]() In 1895 the fog alert at Grand Haven was a steam siren which blasted in the key of F for 5 seconds at intervals of 35 seconds. The steam was produced by an on-site coal-fired boiler. In 1905 the power was converted to two large kerosene engines that generated compressed air for the siren. Photo Credit: Tri-Cities Historical Museumįog has been the age-old curse of the seaman. Through the years several fog alert devices had been tried at American ports and shoal waters-cannons in the 1700s: hand rung bells wave activation bells in 1851 mechanically operated bells foot operated horns steam whistles by 1855 and by 1868 sirens had been tested. In 1910 the Bluff Light’s brick tower was torn down and replaced by a brick addition to the living quarters. It served as a residence for the lighthouse keeper and his family until 1939 when the Light Service became part of the Coast Guard. In 1956, the 13-room structure was converted to apartments and continues as a residence today at 900 Harbor Avenue. In 1907 the South Pier tower and light was moved 600 feet back from the end of the pier to its present location. When the South Pier was completed to its present length in 1893 it was equipped with a pier-head light. However, the Bluff Light remained the main port beacon until 1905. In the fall of 1904 a 52-foot steel tower was placed on the end of the South Pier and on Januthe Fresnel lens was moved from the bluff to the new tower. Everyone, it seemed, knew of the switch except the ship captains, who had not been notified. When the Crosby and Goodrich steamers came into port that night the captains were totally confused and would have grounded had then not been familiar with the port. When the boats docked the air was blue as the captains voiced their opinions about eh debacle. The Port of Grand Haven had its first lighthouse in 1839, which was built on the beach were today’s Oval is located. It consisted of a five-room cottage for the keeper with a separate light tower. Within a few years the error of the location became apparent and a seawall was built to protect the light tower. Erosion continued and in 1852 a late fall storm took out the seawall on December 6. The storms persisted and, although ice banks slowed the process, less than two weeks later, on December 17, 1852, the tower and cottage collapsed. The Port of Grand Haven was without a beacon for the next three years.Ī second light with an adjoining keeper’s dwelling was built in 1855 on the bluff behind and 150 feet above the beach. It was equipped with a $4,000 lenticular French Fresnel lens that reflected light visible for 25 miles under clear conditions. On a rotating light was installed which was regulated by a clock work that produced a flash every 1.5 minutes. Seaman were guided by the reassuring beacon for the next 50 years. Several were seen along the shore, but disappeared while being tracked.Įwart retired in 1960, the same year that electricity reached the lighthouse.Photo Credit: Tri-Cities Historical Museum The History of Grand Haven Lighthouse & Pier Ewart was a school teacher in British Columbia and Alberta until it was suggested to him to apply for the lighthouse keeper job back home in Prince Edward Island.ĭuring World War II the Lighthouse proved useful for spotting German U-boats that neared the coast. His future bride, Florence, did the same, and they were married there in 1919. Ewart Allen Keeping got the job.Īfter World War I, Ewart had gone out West where land was being offered to those coming home from the war. In 1926, the Federal Government advertised the position of Lightkeeper, with an annual salary of between $600 and $900. Their son, Gordon, died as a child, shortly after Clarence himself had died of Tuberculosis. ![]() He married Margaret (Peg) Richards, and they had three children together. White, a veteran of World War I, was the fifth Keeper. ![]() When he passed away, his body was laid out for viewing in the base of the tower.Ĭlarence R. Hiram Hyde of Murray Harbour was the fourth Lighthouse Keeper. He married Ada Beck and they had several children, including one set of twins. Martin Luther Jorden was the third Keeper. In 1905, a Marconi Wireless Telegraph Station was built adjacent to the Cape Bear Lighthouse. He and his wife Annie (nee Jorden) had several children. William Harris and his family resided at the Lighthouse while he was the Keeper. ![]() Munn (from 1894 – 1896), cared for the light. They had a daughter, Joanna (born at the lighthouse), and a son, John Thomas.Īccording to family tradition, Keeper Munn fell from the lantern in 1890 and was bedridden for three years before he passed away in September of 1893. Thomas married Janet Emery (1848 – 1871). After her death, he remarried to Margaret MacKay (1843 – 1912).
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