Hi everyone! Hope you all had an awesome week. It’s typical fall weather with a mix of everything but at least the temperatures are staying above freezing.
On one of our rare sunny days, with a bright blue sky, no wind and completely flat sea, we went on a little afternoon adventure on the water. We decided to circumnavigate Merry Island to see what the lighthouse and buildings look like from the water. We see it from land while driving along Redrooffs Road and have just a glimpse of its northern tip from our home, so we wanted a closer look.
Here is some information gleaned from lighthousefriends.com about Merry Island. Building of the lighthouse began in May 1903 on the southeast entrance to Welcome Pass. Will Franklin was the first light keeper appointed to the position and along with his wife Mary Ann, became quite self-sufficient. They claimed the rest of the island under the Homestead Act and raised sheep, turkeys, chickens and ducks. Will’s annual salary was a meagre $360 which is less than $1 per day.
In 1903, keeper Franklin was provided a hand foghorn which was required to sound in response to a vessel’s signal, but it was inadequate and in 1922 a request was sent to the marine agent in Victoria requesting a more powerful horn operated by mechanical power. Keeper Franklin tracked vessels that passed Merry Island and noted that in one month, 220 vessels had travelled by – so a mechanical fog signal was deemed essential. In April 1924, the mechanical fog signal went into operation.
Keeper Franklin retired in 1932 after 30 years at the lighthouse but remained on the island for several years to care for his small farm. Based on the article, there were nine keepers from 1903 to date with Don Richards being the keeper from 1987 until now.
As we floated by, we noted at least four structures on the island along with two wind turbines, which were not in operation at the time, and a helicopter pad. The stark contrast of the red and white paint on the buildings and the amazing time of day made for an incredible picture-perfect moment. I tried to imagine what it would have been like in the early days and although quite close to land, Merry Island would have been quite remote. It is only .96 nautical miles (1.78 km) from the closet point on Merry Island to Reception Point, which would have seemed an incredible distance while rowing to shore on a cold, stormy night.
There are close to 40 lighthouses in British Columbia, with 27 of them manned and roughly 54 lighthouse keepers listed. It takes a certain kind of person that can handle the isolation and loneliness. Living conditions vary for each lighthouse and most locations have two keepers assigned to ensure the entire day is covered. There are few sights on the water that fill us with a warm sense of security and safety as seeing a lighthouse. In almost every part of the world they are a symbolic representation of stability and dependability and they are pretty to look at as well.
Have your “Say at the Bay,” please contact me before 5 p.m. on Mondays. [email protected]. Be kind, be gentle, be safe.
