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Digest>Nov/Dec 2018 |
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Photo Caption:
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In 1947-1948, the Coast Guard did not hire contractors to paint the tower at Bakers Island Lighthouse in Massachusetts. It was the job of the lighthouse keepers. Look closely and you will see Paul Baptiste hanging about ¾ of the way up the tower while he was whitewashing it. The man on the lantern deck was Bob Wagner. As Paul recalled, he thought that he had the perfect idea to complete the job. He rigged a Bosun’s chair with rope and block and tackle riggings from the top of the tower down to the grill of a 1947 World War II army jeep. Instead of an ignition, the old jeep was started by a crank placed at the front of the jeep. All was working well, with Bill Johnson moving the jeep forward to lower Paul whenever a section was completed. Neither one of them was prepared for the crank letting go, sending Paul and chair flying up to the top of the tower and Paul screaming all the way. Helen Johnson fainted while Paul’s Helen stood still holding baby Tommy, undoubtedly sending up lots of prayers. Fortune was with Paul, because Bill managed to get to the jeep in time to save Paul from any serious injury. With things now under control, Paul completed the whitewashing.
In this photo, you’ll also notice that the curtains were drawn in the lantern to protect the Fresnel lens from the harmful rays of the sun. (Baptiste Family Collection, Lighthouse Digest archives.)
Back to the edition of: Nov/Dec 2018
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Story:
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Remembering Paul Baptiste 1924 - 2018
Back to the edition of: Nov/Dec 2018
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