![]() ![]() It helped me imagine the sights and sounds of Kate’s daily life. I could imagine what it must have been like to climb icy rocks and push your boat out into the blackest night water.Īs I explored, osprey flew overhead with their daily catch clutched in crushing talons. Looking at the marsh between where the Keeper’s house once stood and her lighthouse, I could imagine the winter flooding and how extreme the danger truly was. Then I climbed the rocky breakwater to get to Kate’s island and see her light for myself. They supplied images of the keeper’s house, knowledge of important details and where to find more information. The Black Rock Community Council was an invaluable resource throughout the project. I met with local community leaders who work tirelessly to keep her light in good shape and keep her legacy alive. Then I traveled to Bridgeport, only a few miles from Kate’s light and read her lighthouse log.Īnna Crowley Redding examining Lighthouse Log kept by Kate Moore at Bridgeport Library, CT I found an 1872 map of Fayerweather island and spotted the very boards she was talking about. Even on the best of nights, she traveled to the tower to pour more oil into the lanterns every four hours. She often spent entire nights in the lantern room, re-kindling the flame after every gust of wind blew it out. She talked about sleet stinging her face and she held her lantern out walking on two boards out to the light. I read news articles written about her at the time, her interviews were extraordinary. ![]() If I had known when I was a little girl that a TWELVE year old was capable of such bravery, what might I have imagined for myself? I knew I wanted our younger girls to know about Kate! She quickly traded in her skirt for a pair of pants and got to work despite the danger, despite the terror, despite having to risk her life again and again night after night year after year. The lighthouse job was a no brainer… until those long ago injuries began to take their toll. He had been a mariner but a fall from atop a load of hay left him with severe injuries. She lived in the 1800’s – a terrible time for women – and her father was the lighthouse keeper. That’s her full name but she preferred to go by Kate. They chose to honor a little known hero named Kathleen Andre Moore. It was an Associated Press headline about a new U.S. And what can I say? Old habits die hard.īut it was in that middle-of-the-night moment that I spotted a story I couldn’t believe. I spent years as a reporter and one of your primary responsibilities is to read as much as possible as often as possible. I couldn’t sleep and turned to my phone to read news headlines. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |