Welcome back Lighthouse Explorer! Yesterday’s podcast episode talked about the Portland Head Lighthouse in the USA. This lighthouse is located in Maine, and it stands at the entrance of Portland Harbour, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
The lighthouse is situated within Fort Williams Park, where you can explore the historic lighthouse, enjoy the views, or learn about the area’s maritime history. The Portland Head Light is actually one of the most iconic and photographed lighthouses in the United States, attracting tourists and history enthusiasts from around the world.
History of Portland Head Lighthouse
The history of Portland Head Light dates back to the late 18th century. The build was prompted due to increasing maritime traffic in the area along a dangerous coastline. In 1787, President George Washington approved the construction of a lighthouse at Portland Head. Construction began in 1787, and the lighthouse was completed in 1791.
Henry Dearborn, a Revolutionary War veteran and later a prominent political figure, played a significant role in the construction of Portland Head Light. He was appointed as the first collector of customs for the district and oversaw the building of the lighthouse. He was instrumental in ensuring the successful completion of the project.
The original tower had a lantern room at the top and whale oil was used to fuel the light. This lamp was lit for the first time on January 10, 1791 by the light’s first keeper, Joseph K. Greenleaf.
Over the years, the lighthouse underwent several modifications and upgrades. During the War of 1812, the original tower was raised in height to improve visibility. Furthermore, in 1855, the tower was rebuilt using locally quarried stone. This stone tower is the one that stands today and is recognised as an iconic symbol of the Maine coast.
In 1989, Portland Head Light was automated, marking the end of its long tradition of having a resident lighthouse keeper. The keeper’s house was restored and now serves as a museum and visitor centre, providing insights into the history of the lighthouse and the maritime heritage of the region.
Today, Portland Head Light is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is recognised as a historic landmark. It is one of the most visited and photographed lighthouses in the United States, drawing tourists, photographers, and history enthusiasts from around the world.
The Annie C. Maguire Shipwreck, 1886
The story of the shipwreck of the Annie C. Maguire off the coast of Portland Head Lighthouse in 1886 is a compelling tale. The steamship’s encounter with treacherous conditions during a storm led to its unfortunate grounding near the lighthouse on Christmas Eve. Lighthouse keeper Joshua Strout, along with his son Joseph and their family, played a crucial role in the rescue of the ship’s crew and passengers.
The Annie C. Maguire had a varied history, from its origins as a speedy clipper ship known as the Golden State, to its later conversion into a three-masted bark vessel for heavy cargo. Financial difficulties faced by the ship’s owners eventually led to its ill-fated journey off the coast of Maine.
When the vessel ran aground, Keeper Joshua Strout spotted the wreckage from the lighthouse tower and took immediate action to rescue the survivors. He and his son Joseph constructed a makeshift gangplank to help the crew and passengers traverse the rocky ledges and reach the safety of the lighthouse keeper’s house.
As the shipwreck survivors were recuperating and being cared for, tensions rose among the crew, culminating in an incident involving the ship’s scotch whiskey and a scuffle that Joshua Strout intervened to prevent.
Following the wreck, salvage operations and the ship’s auction yielded meagre returns for the creditors due to the extensive damage sustained by the ship. Eventually, the wreckage was further destroyed by another storm.
The Strout family’s legacy as keepers of the Portland Head Lighthouse ended up spanning four generations, and a remarkable 128 years of combined service.
Today, the memory of the Annie C. Maguire shipwreck is preserved through an inscription near the lighthouse, reminding residents and tourists of the events that unfolded on that eventful Christmas Eve in 1886.
Thank you for reading! You can listen to the full podcast below.
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