Among the items included on my own bucket list is one that increasingly is becoming harder to find, and that is to work as a Lighthouse Keeper. This goal may not be on the same adrenaline and heart pumping scale as skydiving in Nova Scotia, rappelling in New Brunswick, photographing grizzlies in the Yukon or swimming with Beluga Whales in Churchill Manitoba, but for some reason it is something I always wanted to do. As advances in technology occur more and more lighthouses are becoming automated, no longer requiring an actual person to be onsite. But I wanted to find out what it was like to be a lighthouse keeper, so that’s what I set out to do!
I discovered an opportunity to experience a taste of a Lighthouse Keeper’s life at Cabot Head Lighthouse in Ontario’s beautiful Bruce Peninsula. They have a program called the Cabot Head Lighthouse Assistant Program geared to offering approved guests a little of what it would be like to serve in this capacity. In essence, the program offers visitors a 1 week stay on the edge of Georgian Bay as an Assistant Lighthouse Keeper. They live in the Lighthouse, in accommodations that includes one bedroom (2 single beds) with a separate sitting room, a four piece bathroom and a fully equipped summer kitchen.
Now when I contemplated the role of an Assistant Lighthouse Keeper I had envisioned being donned with the huge responsibility of manning the lighthouse and ensuring the bulbs and other equipment were operational as I guided mammoth ocean liners safely into port. This, however seemed unlikely and I would more likely be responsible for adding to the already huge number of sunken wrecks for which the Bruce Peninsula is known.
Before I could get started as a lighthouse keeper Assistant I first needed to learn a little history about the place. The learned that Cabot Head Lighthouse is operated by The Friends of Cabot Head, a not-for-profit organization formed by a group of concerned area citizens who organized to take over the restoration, maintenance and management of Historic Cabot Head Light station. Agreements were made with the Canadian Coast Guard and then Lindsay Township and now the municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula, and in the period from 1994-1996, major renovation work was done on the Lighthouse using limited grant money and volunteer labour and expertise. The Friends of Cabot Head now obtains all its funds for restoration, maintenance and management from visitor donations, membership dues, the Assistant Lighthouse Keepers Program and sales through the gift shop.
I found it interesting to learned that, according to the Department of Marine & Fisheries in its Rules And Instructions for the Guidance of Lighthouse-Keepers (1905), the role of the light-house Keeper and his assistants are one in which they are required “to be sober, industrious, attend to their duties and maintain orderly families.” The duties were rigidly prescribed and strictly carried out. The lamps were lit and kept at full brilliancy between sunset and sunrise, as well as in foggy or dark weather or “as may be necessary for the security of navigation.” The revolving beacon at Cabot Head obliged the keeper or his assistant to be on watch throughout the night.
A significant addition to the duties of the keeper, especially in the autumn, occurred during World War One. In 1914 range lights leading into Wingfield Basin were built and in 1915 a storm-warning system was established. The latter required the display of appropriate signals from atop a sixty-foot tower and required quick action when the meteorological forecast was received over the telephone line from Toronto.
Fortunately, my role as an assistant lighthouse keeper was significantly less than those at the helm in years past. To tell the truth, it was actually a very relaxing experience and there was a lot of free time. There were some duties that an Assistant Lighthouse Keeper is asked to carry out, such as greeting the visitors, helping out in the gift shop and in their new Artist’s Studio and to carry out some housekeeping duties in the lighthouse. There is a fee to be an Assistant Lighthouse Keeper at Cabot Head Lighthouse. The fee is only $350 Canadian for a couple/or single person for the week. Guests are also asked to supply their own personal supplies for the stay such as food, blankets and toiletries, etc. and become a member of the organization the Friends of Cabot Head.
There were several things I found very significant and unique about my experience as an assistant lighthouse keeper. I was surprised that the amenities were pretty modern and comfortable. I was amazed at the breathtaking view from all directions from the top of the lighthouse and spent as much time on the top as possible. I have never had breakfast in a more beautiful place as when I sat at the top of the lighthouse overlooking the staggering panorama of beauty. I was invigorated, relaxed and inspired. However, the thing I found most remarkable was something I never knew existed. Around the time of my last bite of my fabulous breakfast I had brought up with me a flock of about 30+ blue jays flew past the top of the lighthouse and perched onto the nearby trees surrounding the south side of the lighthouse. I thought blue jays only flew singly, but was surprised at this rare event.
These, and many other unique experiences, are available for anyone who has the interest to apply. To learn more about this experience visit www.cabothead.ca.
