Paul St. Germain - Twin Lights of Thacher Island, Cape Ann

As a first time author, I never realized how many people it took to write a book. First, I must thank the Sandy Bay Historical Society and Cynthia Peckham, its renowned curator, and their board of directors for allowing me to have free rein over their collection, especially photographer Charles Cleavess collection of glass-plate negatives. Les Bartlett helped digitally scan many of the best shots of the collection. Jeremy D Entremont, lighthouse expert, helped edit and supplied photographs, information, and contacts. Candace Clifford, maritime historian, helped retrieve many documents from the National Archives and Records Administration during my writing of the National Historic Landmark nomination to the National Park Service for Cape Ann Light Station in 2001. Other contributors are Chad Kaiser of the U.S. Lighthouse Society; U.S. Coast Guard historian Chris Havern; lighting apparatus expert Thomas Tag, who helped locate photographs and drawings of lighting equipment; and Jim Claflin, whose vast collection of lighthouse artifacts, literature, and documents was invaluable. Phil Bissell, cartoonist and former board member of the Thacher Island Association, provided drawings.

Thanks to all those who provided photographs and information about family members that were a part of the keeper community on Thacher, including Dorothy Snow Bicknell, daughter of famed marine writer Edward Rowe Snow; Barbara Kezer, daughter of keeper George Kezer; David Cook, grandson of keeper John Cook; Leola Morse, daughter of keeper William Daggett; and Dina Hamilton, who gave me information on her father Eugene Larsen.

I especially want to thank Eleanor Parsons, author of the definitive history called Thacher, The Island of the Twin Lights. She was my inspiration to write this book before her passing. Her encouragement to do a book of vintage photographs of her favorite subject was kind and generous.

I thank my wife Betty Ann for her numerous readings, edits, suggestions, and patience while writing this book.

I wish to recognize John and Mary Bennett; George and Dottie Carroll; Dr. Syd Wedmore, chairman of the Thacher Island Town Committee; the late Ned Cameron; and former board members who were involved in the creation of the Thacher Island Association back in 1980. Their dedication to restore and maintain this treasure has inspired the current board and volunteer crews who work together for the betterment of this fascinating island.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Claflin, James, Lighthouses and Life Saving along the Massachusetts Coast . Charleston, S.C.: Arcadia Publishing, 1998.

Copeland, Melvin T. and Elliott C. Rogers. Saga of Cape Ann . Freeport, ME: The Bond Wheelwright Company, 1960.

DEntremont, Jeremy. Lighthouses of Massachusetts . Boston: Commonwealth Press, 2008.

Garland, Joseph. Guns off Gloucester . Gloucester, MA: Essex County Newspapers, 1975.

Gott, Lemuel. History of Rockport . Rockport, MA: Rockport Review Press, 1888.

Holland, Francis Ross. Americas Lighthouses . New York: Dover Publications, 1988.

Lewis, Winslow. Description of the Lighthouses on the Coast of the United States . Boston: Thomas Bangs, 1817.

Morison, Samuel Eliot. The Maritime History of Massachusetts 17831860 . Boston: Northeastern University Press, 1979.

National Register Nomination form for Cape Ann Light Station, Thachers Island, listed October 7, 1971.

Parsons, Eleanor C. Thachers: Island of the Twin Lights . Canaan, NH: Phoenix Publishing, 1985.

St. Germain, Paul. National Historic Landmark Nomination for Cape Ann Light Station, Thacher Island, listed 1999.

Snow, Edward Rowe. Famous Lighthouses of New England . Boston: Yankee Publishing, 1945.

Swan, Marshall W. S. Town on Sandy Bay . Canaan, NH: Phoenix Publishing, 1980.

Thachers Woe and Averys Fall . Gloucester, MA: The Press Room, 1985.

Walen, Harry I. The Role of Thachers Island in the American Revolution . Reprinted from the Bulletin of the Order of the Founders & Patriots of America , spring 1985.

ABOUT THE THACHER ISLAND ASSOCIATION

The Thacher Island Association is a nonprofit 501-C3 organization dedicated to restoring and maintaining the Cape Ann Light Station on Thacher Island in Rockport, a National Historic Landmark. Its charter is to raise funds for this effort. The authors proceeds from the sale of this book go to the association. Volunteers work on the island during the summer months, maintaining the scenic trails, campground, and picnic area. They also work to preserve and restore the islands historic structures and unique natural attributes, making them accessible to the public free of charge. For more information, check the Web site at www.thacherisland.org . Anyone interested in joining or donating to the association can send checks to Thacher Island Association, Box 73, Rockport, Massachusetts, 01966. Membership fees are $25 for individuals, $50 for families, $75 for corporate, and $250 for lifetime.

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THACHERS WOE

Thacher Island is located on the eastern shore of Rockport, one-half mile off shore and about three miles from Rockport Harbor at longitude 70 34 45.3 latitude 42 38 19. Milk Island is located to the south, Straitsmouth Island is to the northwest, the Londoner reef is to the east, and Dry and Little Salvages reefs are to the north. (Courtesy Thacher Island Association.)

The island is approximately 52 acres. In 2002, the U.S. Coast Guard gave the southern 29 acres of the island to the Town of Rockport. The northern 22 acres are owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which also owns the north tower. The Thacher Island Association was formed in 1980 as a nonprofit organization to provide funding for the restoration of the structures and facilities. (Courtesy Thacher Island Association.)

The northern end of the island (22 acres) was given to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1970 and is used as a National Wildlife Refuge. (Courtesy Thacher Island Association.)

This engraving of the pinnace Watch and Wait captures the desperate crew cutting away the anchor as they were shipwrecked near the island on Averys Ledge in 1635. Only Anthony Thacher and his wife, Elizabeth, survived. Twenty-one people perished, including the crew, Thachers cousin the Reverend John Avery and his family, and Thachers four children. The island was later named for Thacher. This uncredited illustration is from Edward Rowe Snows True Tales of Terrible Shipwrecks . (Courtesy Dorothy Snow Bicknell.)