HEROINE OF A LIGHTHOUSE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17837, 4 May 1926, Page 6

HEROINE OF A LIGHTHOUSE.

CLIMBED NIGHTLY TO THE BEACON. (Special to the “Star.”) LONDON, March 25. Miss Ethel Langton, the fourteen-year-old daughter of the keeper of St Helen’s Fort Lighthouse, Isle of Wight, who was alone in the building for three days, as described in the “ Daily Mail,” to-day related to me how she carried out her father’s duties. She is a ruddy cheeked, vivacious girl, who has spent the greater part of her life in the fort. She said: From Saturday morning until last night my only company here was a little pet dog, but I was not at all nervous or afraid. I was a bit anxious about father and mother when I found the weather prevented them from returning, but I was not at all concerned about myself. The only food I had for myself and the dog was half a loaf of bread and a piece of cake. When the fishermen struggled through the surf last night and passed me in some sausage rolls and bread I was very pleased, because I was quite without food then. VERY LITTLE SLEEP. The nights were the worst part of my experience, for, having to look after the light, I did not get much sleep. Each night I wound up the lantern and lit it. To do that I had to climb up the beacon at the top of the fort, over which the spray was breaking. During the night I had also to climb to the top of the fort at intervals to see whether the light was burning properly. If it smoked, I had to trim it. That was not a very pleasant job. I knew the light must be kept going, and I just kept it going. In the intervals of attending to the light I sat in the living, room and played patience or read books. What I missed most was having so “ Daily Mail ” cross-word puzzle with which to pass my time. I should have carried on until relief came, and kept the light burning. I knew that had to be done at all costs.

Although fishermen managed to get food to Miss Langton on Tuesday night, the Bembridge lifeboat had to launched to take Mr and Mrs Langton to the lighthouse.