Refer to page 37 of Lighthouses Short & Tall for St. Martin Island Lighthouse

This first letter is written by a lighthouse engineer. Keepers were expected to be skilled enough to deal with routine maintenance. As fog signals became more complex, a keeper also needed to be a skilled mechanic. When he was incapable of fixing the problem or needed special parts, he would contact the district engineer or inspector, and help would be provided on the next tender. Station often had a duplicate fog signal engine in case one broke down. Why was this a good idea?

Only two watchmen were authorized at this station when it was closed for the winter. Watchman Pizzalar agreed with the engineer that three men were needed at the station, even during the winter. Can you visualize crossing 10 miles of lake ice to get to the mainland?

How would having an electric light in place of a kerosene lamp change the keeper’s duties? Would he still need to polish the lens? Clean the plate glass windows in the lantern? Carry fuel from the fuel house?