LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER’S EXPERIENCES

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 81, 29 December 1938, Page 5

LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER’S EXPERIENCES

Life On Cuvier Island “ V lighthouse-keeper on an island Ims Io ‘Jack of all trades,’ in addition to the daily routine of lighthouse duties, he has lo be plumber, blacksmith, carpenter, en•■ineer ami miiuv other things,” said Mr. K, Webley, one of the three keepers at Ciivier Island. 60 miles from Auckland. Mr Weblev was born in the Ilutt and was transferred from Pencarrow lighthouse to Cuvier Island two years ago. "Mv wife and 1 are appreciating what are generally regarded as tlie ordinary amenities of life during our stay in the Hull," said Mr. Webley. Tim three keepers on the island, and their families numbered 13. lie said. The Government steamer Matai called with stores every four or five months. Site carried household stores, supplies for the lighthouse, oil, paint, timber, coal—in fact. everything required for the ensuing months. The goods were conveyed from the ship by surf boats, transferred to the ligiithou.se motor launch, and craned onto tlie jetty. Everything had to be got under cover the same night in ease of rain, and it took about four hours to pack the goods in the.shed. They were then winched up by a Diesel engine and it took four or five days to accomplish the task, because the Steepness of the narrow path leading to the tiny settlement above made transport extremely difficult. A motor launch from Auckland visited the island fortnightly and tlie mails she carried served to keen the occupants in touch with the outside world. Rescue by Seaplane.

For years the island was without a rowing boat and it was only recently that one was provided. A fortnight after a serious accident occurred. A winch came out of its foundation and threw Mr. G. Davidson, a Public Works man working on tlie island, against a tree, badly crushing one of his legs. One of the keepers had a private transmitting set and communicated witli Auckland. A seaplane reached the island in 45 minutes, and the man was in tlie Auckland Hospital an hour and a half after the accident occurred. Meantime, Mr. Webley, having had Boy Scout training, put Mr. Davidson’s legs in splints. Tlie precipitous path to the jetty offered an almost insuperable difficulty to the men who had to convey the injured man on a stretcher. The Cuvier Island lighthouse was built about 50 years ago, when light was provided by kerosene lamps. In 1904 incandescent lamps supplanted the kerosene lamps and in the near future a powerful electric lamp would be installed. Eight public works men had been employed for many months building the powerhouse and fitting the electric apparatus and radio beacon.

The keepers took four-hour watches during the night. The light radiated 30 miles but a ship could rarely be seen beyond a radius of 15 miles. The keepers did not know when to expect ships but when the radio was installed they would be kept informed as to their movements, said Mr. Webley. The large ocean-going ships came within four miles of the island but the coastal steamers hugged the coast. A morse lamp and code flags were used to communicate with passing ships and a powerful telescope enabled the keepers up the signals. When visibility was good it was possible to distinguish passengers on the deck of an ocean-going steamer, which proved a welcome.diversion on this lonely outpost. Routine on the Island. The daily routine of polishing the huge lenses and general maintenance of the lighthouse and houses provided plenty of occupation for the three keepers. The Diesel engine and crane had to be kept in order, lockers, sheds and houses painted fairly frequently because of the action of the sea air and the vegetable garden kept in order. The island comprised about 400 acres. The commissariat was sometimes a problem. Fishing was good, but goat flesh was the only freijli meat procurable. However, it was quite edible and similar to mutton. The only alternative was tinned meat. Cows were kept on the island, ensuring a plentiful supply of milk and butter, except when the cows went dry. Recently, when this happened, the launch was a week overdue. When it finally arrived the community of 13 was reduced to its last tin of dried milk and the dripping, which had been used in place of butter, had also run out. Fortunately a baby of nine months on the island thrived on condensed milk. Fowls were also kept and eggs provided a welcome addition to the menu. Dogs, cats and budgerigars were valued pets and the bird life on the island was a delight. Bellbirds were as plentiful as fantails. Shining-cuckoos, kingfishers and sparrows also abounded. There was practically no flat ground on the island —even by the sea. Pohutukawas, which grew in profusion, were a striking picture now in their full bloom.