Boston Light

George Worthylake wouldn’t have imagined his fate. He became Boston Light’s first keeper in 1716. Boston Light was the first lighthouse built in the United States. It stood proudly on Little Brewster Island. Worthylake’s tenure was tragically short-lived. He drowned alongside his wife and daughter. They were returning to the island in 1718. A young Benjamin Franklin, then a Boston printer, even wrote a ballad. It was titled “Lighthouse Tragedy”. Boston Light itself has faced its own trials. During the American Revolution, British forces occupied it. American forces attacked and burned it twice. The British ultimately blew up the tower in 1776 as they retreated. But Boston Light was resilient. It was rebuilt in 1783. The reconstruction matched the original 75-foot height. Later, in 1856, the tower was raised to its current height of 98 feet. A new lantern room and a Fresnel lens were added. Boston Light is the second oldest working lighthouse in the US. It’s also the only one still actively staffed by the Coast Guard. Even though it was automated in 1998. The lighthouse’s light flashes white every 10 seconds. It’s visible for 27 nautical miles. This beacon has guided countless ships. It has also witnessed dramatic events. One keeper, C.H. Jennings, made a daring rescue in 1918. He saved 24 men from the wrecked USS Alacrity. The ship had run aground on ice-covered ledges near the island. Jennings received a commendation for his bravery. Boston Light was even briefly extinguished during World War II as a security measure. It was relit in 1945 and continues to shine. Boston Light stands as a testament to American resilience. It has survived wars, storms, and tragedies. Its light still guides mariners today.