and sunrise, and on stormy nights must be constantly looked after.”Īt the tallest lighthouses, such as Barnegat with more than 200 steps to the top, and lighthouses with larger, more complicated lenses, such as Twin Lights with 1st order and 2nd order Fresnel lenses, there was a keeper and assistant keepers to share the duties. At stations having no assistant, the keeper must not leave the light for at least half an hour after lighting, in order to see that it is burning properly, and must visit the light at least twice between 8 p.m. ![]() “At stations having one or more assistant keepers, watches must be kept and so divided. ![]() The weights, which dropped down the tower shaft driving gears that caused the lens to revolve, were unlocked, hand cranked up to the top and a new descent started. The lamp that produced the light was checked and the supply of fuel refilled. The keeper first inspected the Fresnel lens and its many prisms, which were cleaned that morning. Preparations for lighting the beacon began well before dusk. “Lights must be exhibited punctually at sunset and kept lighted at full intensity until sunrise, when the lights will be extinguished and the apparatus put in order without delay for relighting.” NAVESINK_BEACON All instructions that follow come from this invaluable guide, except where noted. A copy of the guide, belonging to one of the Sea Girt keepers, is on display at the lighthouse. And the light keeper depended on the 124-page Instructions To Employees of the United States Lighthouse Service as the official orders and procedures of the U.S. ![]() “Constant and faithful attention to their duties shall be required of all persons in the service, and no employees shall be absent from his station or duty without authority,” states Instructions To Employees of the United States Lighthouse Service in its 1927 edition. The keeper tended to routine but essential duties, made repairs as needed, and was always prepared to respond to any emergency, including shipwrecks. A typical tour of duty began before dusk and continued well past dawn. Being a lighthouse keeper was not a 9-to-5 job.
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