Smith was transferred from the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse where he had served from 1878 - 1887 (as Assistant Keeper) and from 1888 - 1897 (as Head Keeper). While serving at Cape Hatteras he was also responsible for the "Hatteras Beacon," a small lighthouse at Cape Point.
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| US Lighthouse Service Image |
Built in 1855, the Hatteras Beacon was moved a number of times because of its exposed and vulnerable location. Keeper Smith was recorded as having lit the tower for the last time in November, 1898. However, at that time Smith was already serving at Ocracoke. It is likely that the date was actually 1893. At any rate, after Smith lit the beacon it was closed and replaced by a small light mounted on a post. Nothing remains of the Hatteras Beacon.
You can read more about the Hatteras Beacon here: http://www.lighthousedigest.com/Digest/StoryPage.cfm?StoryKey=1012.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, a newspaper article published in 1923 titled "Quaintest Town in America," provides a fascinating glimpse of Ocracoke Island life a century ago. You can read it here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/quaintest-town-america-n-c-island/ .
I WONDER WHERE THE SMALL BEACON ITSELF AS WELL AS THE ONE ON THE POST ENDED UP?
ReplyDeleteProbably went to sea in a storm and the pieces that washed ashore were used in building someone's home.
ReplyDelete