Ram Island Lighthouse-Boothbay Harbor, Maine B251

Ram Island Lighthouse-Boothbay Harbor, Maine B251

Ram Island Lighthouse-Boothbay Harbor, Maine as seen from Cap'n Eliot Winslow's ARGO. Light with walkway and Light Keeper's home. 1949 Ram Island Lighthouse - Boothbay Harbor, Maine As See from Cap'n Eliot Winslow's ARGO B251 In the mid-1800s, after escaping being wrecked, a local fisherman began lighting a lantern at night to warn of the rocks around Ram Island off Boothbay Harbor. Others kept it lit over the years, but on foggy or stormy nights the light could be insufficient to prevent wrecks, and lives were lost. Finally the government recognized the need and in 1883 built a granite and brick tower, 40 feet high, and keeper's house. The light tower was constructed on rocks at the low water mark, where rough seas made construction difficult. The first keeper was Samuel John Cavanor, who remained in the job until he died 30 years later. He had a wooden leg from an injury while working on a lighthouse tender, but he was known as one of the most active keepers in Maine. He dealt with damage from storms and wrecks. His wife ran a business serving fish dinners on nearby Fisherman Island. The Coast Guard automated the station in 1965. The Ram Island Preservation Society now maintains it.