In 1821, the United States government purchased the 5 acre island for $150.00 from Jacob Abed and Joseph McCobb. Title papers are dated 25 May,1821. Under the authorization of President James Monroe, the Burnt Island Light Station was the ninth lighthouse in Maine to be established. The tower was constructed in 1821. "The Eastern Argus", in a notice to mariners stated; Burnt Island at Booth Bay is to be lighted as soon as the necessary apparatus can be recieved from Boston." Mr. Marr was appointed as the first keeper to serve at the Burnt Island Light Station. The original tower has never been rebuilt, which makes it the second oldest tower in Maine. In 1856, the lighthouse was refitted with a new and improved reflecting apparatus making it suitable. The Fresnel Lens was procured in 1858. The new 4th Order, glass lens produced a fixed white light. In 1878, the Burnt Island Lighthouse was fitted with new lamps designed to burn kerosene. In 1888, a dead angle was placed in the lantern room so that light would not be shown to the westward of the rocks called the Cuckolds. It appeared that vessals frequently hauled into the harbor as soon as they saw the light, thus striking these rocks. On October 4, 1889, the characteristic of the light was changed from fixed white to fixed red, with two white sectors covering the fair-ways of the entrance to Boothbay Harbor. The change of color was accomplished by placing ruby red panes of glass in the lantern room windows. On November 28,1891 at 4:00 P.M., the characteristic of Burnt Island changed from fixed red, with 2 white sectors, every 5 seconds with a 1 second flash. It is believed that at this time a new 4th Order, 24" square, bullseye, Frensel lens was placed in the lantern room. In order to produce the flash, the lens was set on a revolving apparatus that consisted of 21 ball bearings and a clock-work mechanism that needed winding every six hours.If you want to know more about the tower click here. |