This Canadian beacon throws its rays from a height of 470 feet. In foggy weather the headland often is obscured by fog, so an auxiliary light has been provided 346 feet below.
The necessity of indicating this death-trap to the mariner was realized at the end of the seventeenth century, but it was not until 1802 that a forward step was taken to ease the plight of those who were thrown upon its shores. Then the province of Nova Scotia voted a sum of £400 or $2,000, per annum, for the maintenance of a fully-equipped life-saving station. This sum was too slender to fulfil the purposes conceived, but in 1827 the Imperial Government, recognizing the humane character of the enterprise, voted a similar appropriation, which is paid regularly, or was up to a few years ago, towards its support. When the Dominion of Canada became an accomplished fact in 1867, by the confederation of the provinces, the matter was taken up whole-heartedly, and since that date enormous sums have been expended upon the island for the protection of shipping and the mitigation of the sufferings of those cast upon its inhospitable shores. At the present time three life-saving stations and six relief stations, equipped with the best modern apparatuses, are maintained, connected by telephone and equipped with a staff of about twenty men. When the gales are raging and the island is encircled in a broad band of maddened spray stretching to the horizon, these men are out patrolling the shore, ready to man the lifeboat upon the first signals of distress. The life of these lonely workers now is lightened very appreciably, as the island is fitted with a wireless station, wherewith the men are able to talk through space with the mainland and with passing vessels.
Photo by courtesy of Lieut.-Col. W. P. Anderson.
THE NORTH BELLE ILE LIGHTHOUSE.
The warning flash, thrown from a height of 137 feet, can be seen from a distance of 17 miles.
The west end light has passed through many vicissitudes, and the keepers have experienced innumerable thrills. At this point the ocean is devouring the island rapidly. In 1873 the tower was raised in what was considered a safe position. It was placed some distance from the water’s edge on a favourable knoll, and thought to be immune from the gnawing of the sea for many years to come. But Nature disposed otherwise. The awful winter of 1881 played havoc with the island. One mighty gale carried away a solid chunk 70 feet wide by nearly 1,400 feet long. When the summer came, and an inspection was made, fears were entertained concerning the safety of the lighthouse. The keepers had observed violent tremblings, for the tower vibrated considerably under the smashing blows of the waves. Nothing could be done that summer, and it was hoped that the succeeding winter would be milder, to enable plans to be prepared for the construction of a new tower in a safer position. The keepers, however, were urged to keep a sharp eye on developments, and to be prepared for any emergency. The winter of 1882 proved to be worse than that of the previous year, and the island suffered more than ever. The keepers and their isolated comrades viewed the advance of the waves with ill-disguised alarm. Would the island around the light hold out until the spring? That was the uppermost thought. Every gale brought the waves nearer, and at last it was recognized that one good gale would finish matters. So the men prepared for the emergency. The demolition of the tower commenced, a race between the waters and human labour. The men worked well and had just got the superstructure away, when there was a creak, a groan, and a crash! The foundations, which had been undermined, disappeared into the Atlantic. In less than ten years the hungry ocean had carried a mile of Sable Island away.
By kind permission of Lieut.-Col. W. P. Anderson.
A MAGNIFICENT CANADIAN LIGHT ON THE PACIFIC COAST.