Looking upon the Chesapeake Bay, one can see that is is so much more than a part of the sea. Despite its beauty, it is a complex and dangerous body of water. It is made up of miles and miles of powerful water. Oceanic tide surges are commonplace. So are threatening storms that hit with no warning. Despite these dangers, hundreds of ships safely navigate the bay every year. This is because Chesapeake Bay lighthouses are now using technology to guide ships through the dangerous waters.
From the wooden colonial vessels to the huge cargo vessels we use today, our interaction with the bay has been mostly through commerce and transportation. Buoys and signal fires on the rocks were the first type of navigational aids but were quite unreliable.
The country soon began to depend on the goods coming from the bay and a safer passage now became a priority. In 1792, it was decided that lighthouses would be the solution to safer water travels and it was then that the first one cast light on the entrance of the bay.
During the nineteenth century, construction of lighthouses was on pace with new inventions in technology and exceedingly growing commercial activity. By mid century, at least a dozen lighthouses had been erected along the western shore. They were also essential along the eastern shore where they helped commercial fishermen. By the start of the twentieth century, they were the sole identifier of the Bay's treacherous obstacles.
Being a keeper of a lighthouse was often a lonesome job that demanded that the keeper be committed and determined. Before electricity, the lanterns burned all day and night, in all types of weather. This required the keeper to carry heavy jugs of oil up and down the steep staircases numerous times a day. He also needed to repair and maintain the lamps and lanterns. The keeper was also required to keep and submit daily records of lighthouse operations.
Lighthouse keeping was a dangerous job. At times, it meant putting your own life in danger in order to save someone else's. Although it happened often, one of the most evident instances of the dangers was when the keepers of the Thimble Shoal house almost died when a schooner crashed through the lighthouse. Their coal burning stove was overturned in the process and set their living quarters on fire. They barely escaped.
Decade after decade, it was decided that women were not fit to be lighthouse keepers. The job was too dangerous and strenuous. Despite this way of thinking, there have been some female keepers. One well known keeper was named Fanny Salter. She ran the Turkey Point lighthouse for more than twenty years. As the last woman keeper in the country, she retired in 1947.
When the twentieth century rolled in, the Chesapeake Bay lighthouses had to adjust to the changes in time and technology. Electricity replaced dangerous kerosene and oil. The lighthouses become fully automated and keepers were no longer needed. At one time there were at least seventy-four lights lining the shores of the bay. These days, the number has been reduced to less than half that amount. However, of the thirty that are still standing, twenty-three are still operational and continue to serve as navigational aids and tourist attractions.
From the wooden colonial vessels to the huge cargo vessels we use today, our interaction with the bay has been mostly through commerce and transportation. Buoys and signal fires on the rocks were the first type of navigational aids but were quite unreliable.
The country soon began to depend on the goods coming from the bay and a safer passage now became a priority. In 1792, it was decided that lighthouses would be the solution to safer water travels and it was then that the first one cast light on the entrance of the bay.
During the nineteenth century, construction of lighthouses was on pace with new inventions in technology and exceedingly growing commercial activity. By mid century, at least a dozen lighthouses had been erected along the western shore. They were also essential along the eastern shore where they helped commercial fishermen. By the start of the twentieth century, they were the sole identifier of the Bay's treacherous obstacles.
Being a keeper of a lighthouse was often a lonesome job that demanded that the keeper be committed and determined. Before electricity, the lanterns burned all day and night, in all types of weather. This required the keeper to carry heavy jugs of oil up and down the steep staircases numerous times a day. He also needed to repair and maintain the lamps and lanterns. The keeper was also required to keep and submit daily records of lighthouse operations.
Lighthouse keeping was a dangerous job. At times, it meant putting your own life in danger in order to save someone else's. Although it happened often, one of the most evident instances of the dangers was when the keepers of the Thimble Shoal house almost died when a schooner crashed through the lighthouse. Their coal burning stove was overturned in the process and set their living quarters on fire. They barely escaped.
Decade after decade, it was decided that women were not fit to be lighthouse keepers. The job was too dangerous and strenuous. Despite this way of thinking, there have been some female keepers. One well known keeper was named Fanny Salter. She ran the Turkey Point lighthouse for more than twenty years. As the last woman keeper in the country, she retired in 1947.
When the twentieth century rolled in, the Chesapeake Bay lighthouses had to adjust to the changes in time and technology. Electricity replaced dangerous kerosene and oil. The lighthouses become fully automated and keepers were no longer needed. At one time there were at least seventy-four lights lining the shores of the bay. These days, the number has been reduced to less than half that amount. However, of the thirty that are still standing, twenty-three are still operational and continue to serve as navigational aids and tourist attractions.
About the Author:
Read more about Chesapeake Bay Lighthouses Are Not A Thing Of The Past visiting our website.