Keeping the Light

What would it be like to live in a lighthouse?

1 Imagine living in an isolated place where bad weather was not uncommon and people’s lives depended on you doing your job. This was the life of a lighthouse keeper before lighthouses became automated. Lights that had mirrors and lenses had to be cleaned and polished regularly. The keepers had to be watchful at night to make sure that the lamps stayed lit and there was enough fuel to last the night. When ships wrecked in nearby areas, lighthouse keepers were expected to help with the rescue effort.

2 Because the work was physically demanding and women rarely worked outside the home, the job of lighthouse keeper was most often given to men. However, the job often fell to the daughters or wives of lighthouse keepers when the men were called to war, became ill, or died. Women proved themselves to be equally capable of holding this difficult job that was as much a way of life as it was a career.

3 One of the most famous female lighthouse keepers was Ida Lewis of Newport, Rhode Island. Her father was the keeper of Lime Rock Lighthouse, but after only a few months at the job he had a stroke. Because Hosea Lewis was no longer able to perform his duties as keeper, 15-year-old Ida and her mother took over in 1853. Captain Lewis lived about 20 years longer, but Ida and her mother performed all the required duties of a keeper.

4 Ida was known as the best swimmer in Newport. She was also skilled at handling a rowboat, something that was not seen as particularly appropriate for a woman of that time. However, during her 39 years keeping the light at Lime Rock, Ida rescued between 18 and 25 people. That certainly made it seem less important whether or not Ida’s behaviors were appropriate!

5 People were intrigued by this woman who appeared to make her own rules for living. Thousands of visitors came to Lime Rock in hope of seeing Ida Lewis in person. Ida was used to the quiet solitude of a lighthouse keeper’s life, and she was uncomfortable with all the attention. Even so, she couldn’t help being honored by the awards she received for her service. President Ulysses S. Grant made a trip to Rhode Island to visit Ida and to commend her on her heroism.

6 In 1924, Lime Rock was renamed Ida Lewis Rock in honor of the keeper who had died in 1911. The lighthouse service of Rhode Island also renamed Lime Rock Lighthouse the Ida Lewis Lighthouse. It is the only lighthouse to be named for its keeper.

Spectrum Reading Grade 6

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1. Check the words that best describe Ida Lewis.

_____ hardworking

determined _____ strong-willed

_____ unpredictable

_____ nosy

Write T before the sentences that are true. Write F before the sentences that are false.

2. _____ It was more common for women than for men to be lighthouse keepers.

3. _____ After his stroke, Captain Lewis was able to resume his job as lighthouse keeper.

4. _____ Ida kept the light at Lime Rock for 39 years.

5. _____ President Ulysses S. Grant visited Ida in Rhode Island.

6. _____ Today, Lime Rock Lighthouse is called Ida Lewis Lighthouse.

7. Why did all the attention make Ida uncomfortable?

8. Why do you think that we don’t know for sure how many people Ida rescued?

9. How old was Ida when she began tending the lighthouse? ______________________________

10. What were two jobs of lighthouse keepers before lighthouses became automated?

11. Do you think you would have enjoyed being a lighthouse keeper? Why or why not?

Spectrum Reading Grade 6

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