United States Merchant Marine Academy - Midships Yearbook (Kings Point, NY)

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work for the mariner and humanity can best be in- dicated by Longfellow: “The rocky ledge runs far into the sea, And on its outer point, some miles away, The Lighthouse lifts its massive masonry, A pillar of fire by night, of cloud by day. “And as the evening darkens, lo! how bright, Through the deep purple of the twilight air, Beams forth the sudden radiance of its light With strange, unearthly splendor in the glare! “Not one alone; from each projecting cape And perilous reef along the ocean’s verge, Starts into life a dim, gigantic shape, Holding its lantern o’er the restless surge. “Steadfast, serene, immovable, the same Year after year, through all that silent night Burns on forevermore that quenchless flame, Shines on that inextinguishable light! “The startled waves leap over it; the storm Smites it with all the scourges of the rain, And steadily against its solid form Press the great shoulders of the hurricane. “The sea-bird wheeling round it, with the din Of wings and winds and solitary cries, Blinded and maddened by the light within, Dashes himself against the glare, and dies. “ ‘Sail on!’ it says, ‘sail on, ye stately ships! And with your floating bridge the ocean span; Be mine to guard this light from all eclipse, Be yours to bring man nearer unto man!’ ” MONTAUK LIGHTKEEPERS: Montauk Lightkeepers Coleman and Mason are typical of the highly trained Coast Guard personnel who man many or our light- houses. 17

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MAKAPUU LIGHT: The austere life of many Lightkeepers is typified by the location of Makapuu Point Light high above the eastern tip of Oahu Island. WOMAN LIGHTKEEPER: Contrary to popular opin- ion, women play an integral role in the maintenance of many lighthouses. “We’d be mad to try.” “Then let’s try, and, if we must, die mad!” They unshipped their small boat and, braving the mountainous seas, managed to rescue four men and a woman from the stricken vessel. News of the heroic rescue against all odds spread throughout Britain. But the battle Grace Darling fought took its toll. Catching a severe cold as a result of the rescue experience, Grace died on the mainland soon after. To this day a framed oak plaque is affixed to the bulkhead of Longstone Light: GRACE HORSLEY DARLING, DAUGHTER OF WILLIAM DARLING, THE LIGHT- KEEPER, ON THE 7th. SEPTEMBER 183S ASSISTED HER FATHER AT GREAT PER- SONAL RISK TO RESCUE THE SURVIVORS OF THE CREW OF THE FORFARSHIRE WHICH HAD STRUCK ON THE ADJOINING ISLAND. And what of Johnny Yheldon? Maybe in memory of the laughing girl he fell in love with at their first meeting, he established a well-known publishing com- pany in London and printed books on the wildlife of the northeast coast of Britain. But Johnny never married. Perhaps the true spirit of the lighthouse and its 16

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