Rescuing lighthouses

On some mighty eagle’s beak

Where majesty and memory watch over the waves

See article

Readers' comments



AYT2pkkpui in reply to coolflippers

Which I would not know because I do not listen to NPR. What is your point?

On the topic:
I hope all of America's lighthouses are maintained simply for historical purposes. But as far as navigation is concerned, I think each lighthouse should always have an automated light to aid.

It's like flying an airplane with GPS; you don't really need beacons and radio navigational aids but it's nice to have something to confirm your position. Technology always seems to let one down at the worst possible times.


I'm sure that Bodie Light are disappointed that their light is not shown. What is shown is Portland Headlight in Cape Elizabeth, Me. 2nd light house commissioned by George Washington. Completed 1791. Rams Island Light can be seen in the distance. Bought by a single individual. Coast Guard maintains both lights. Splended entrance to Portland Harbor at night.

Ah, but someone was watching over the lighthouse. And in the days of frequent mechanical failures, that was no small thing. Being a lighthouse keeper was mostly tedious, sometimes hard, and occasionally truly terrifying. But it was important. Until it wasn't.


"Lighthouses remind people that as mariners battled what Walt Whitman called “the wild unrest, the snowy, curling caps—that inbound urge and urge of waves, Seeking the shores forever,” someone was watching over them, and wishing them safely home."

Well no, someone was not watching over them, they couldn't see them in the dark. And probably 9 days out of ten they were not battling wild waves, they were simply trying to find the way home. The folks built a great big torch that waved about in the dark, and went to bed. This is The Economist. Utility please.



Products and events


Take our weekly news quiz to stay on top of the headlines

