Contributed by Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse
Description
Sailor lived on Wood Island off the coast of Biddeford near the entrance to the Saco River.
Sailor lived with the five Orcutt children, whose father, Thomas Henry Orcutt, was the lighthouse keeper.
He had many duties, including ringing the big fog bell during low visibililty so that mariners would be made aware of their proximity to the island. Sailor found another use for this bell. When ships passed close by and gave a toot on their horns, Sailor ran out to the fog bell tower and grabbed the rope attached to the clapper in this teeth.
He gave a mighty pull, sending an answering message to the people at sea. Some news reports indicated that Sailor always gave three rings in his answering salute.
This activity made him very popular both near and far. His tale was told in newspapers all the way to Wisconsin.
About This Item
- Title: Sailor, family dog, Wood Island Lighthouse, ca. 1903
- Creator: Orcutt Family
- Creation Date: circa 1903
- Subject Date: circa 1903
- Location: Wood Island, Biddeford, York County, ME
- Media: Photographic print
- Dimensions: 10 cm x 14 cm
- Collection: Private collection of Bob and Judy Orcutt
- Object Type: Image
Cross Reference Searches
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People
Other Keywords
- animals of lighthouses
- animals of Wood Island
- Biddeford
- Biddeford Pool
- Dog
- Lilghthouse of Southern Maine
- Pets
- Saco bay
- Wood Island
- Wood Island Light
- Wood Island Lighthouse
For more information about this item, contact:
Friends of Wood Island LighthousePO Box 26, Biddeford Pool, ME 04006
(207) 286-3229
Website
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