A Little Light In The Dark Information
There are many sailors alive today thanks to the dedication of the lighthouse keepers and their families. Those who served at wood and coal beacons endured the hardest labor. Early lights did not have roofs until early 1800's.
There was very high maintenance required for lights with mirror or lens. Each day, lenses and mirror needed to be cleaned, wicks trimmed and the clockworks oiled among many other tasks. Each night, it was necessary to assure the light was burning and signal timing was accurate. If you have ever been in a lighthouse, you will find that light towers tend to have spiral stairs up to the top. It was a long hard way up to the top and light keepers were required to carry oil, tools and cleaning supplies up with them.
Along with maintaining the light, fog signal buildings and other equipment were also under the light keepers responsibilities. Cleaning and painting the lighthouse and other structures such as the keeper's house were a rigorous daily routine. Here's the porch view from the keeper's house at the Heceta Head lighthouse along the Oregon Coast.
