Page 6 Need a hall for your special event? The Schiavo Club, located at 71 Tileston Street, Everett is available for your Birthdays, Anniversaries, Sweet 16 parties and more? For more info, call (857) 249-7882 JOHN MACKEY & ASSOCIATES ~ Attorneys at Law ~ * PERSONAL INJURY * REAL ESTATE * FAMILY LAW * PERSONAL BANKRUPTCY * LANDLORD/TENANT DISPUTES 14 Norwood Street Everett, MA 02149 Phone: (617) 387-4900 Fax: (617) 381-1755 WWW.JMACKEYLAW.COM THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MAy 3, 2024 ~ The Old Sachem ~ Minot’s Ledge Light By Bill Stewart I n 1843 the Inspector of the Lighthouse Service, I.W.P. Lewis, wrote a report on Minot Ledge in which he stated that between 1832 and 1841 there were more than 40 vessels that had been destroyed by the rocky ledge in the harbor just off the towns of Cohasset and Scituate, Massachusetts, to the southeast of Boston. This led to serious loss of life and damage to property. It was estimated that 40 lives were lost and $364.000 in property loss ensued. The most serious ship loss was the St. John in October 1849 when 99 Irish immigrants drowned within sight of land. The state originally thought to build a lighthouse similar to the one in Eddystone, off the southeast of England designed and built by John Smeaton. After studying Smeaton’s design, Captain William H. Smith, of the United States Topographical Bureau, became the architect and deCelebrating Our 52nd Year Dan - 1972 We Sell Cigars & Accessories! MAJOR BRANDS AT DISCOUNT PRICES! Singles * Tins * Bundles * Boxes * Travel Humidors * Desk Top Humidors * Many Types of Lighters * Ash Trays * Juuls * Vapes * Glass Pipes * Rewards Program * CBD Infused Products * GIFTS UNDER $30 - GIFT CERTIFICATES If you use what we specialize in (Cigars & Accessories), then take advantage of our 52 Years of Experience! HOURS: OPEN DAILY 7 DAYS A WEEK, 9AM - 6PM * Join our Rewards Program! Humidor Specials! Starting as LOW as $99. Complete with Accessories R.Y.O. TOBACCO & TUBES ON SALE! Green Label Cigar Sale! Buy 2 Cigars, Get One FREE! A.B.C. CIGAR 170 REVERE ST., REVERE (781) 289-4959 Chris 2024 cided that the rocks in the area made it impossible to build it like Eddystone on mostly submerged rock and instead proposed an iron pile light, a spidery structure drilled into the rock. The Minot’s Ledge Lighthouse had construction starting in 1847 and was completed in late 1849. It was lit for the fi rst time on January 1, 1850. In April 1851 a major storm, probably a tornado, struck the lighthouse. The storm caused damage throughout the Boston area. When state offi cials inspected the area on January 2, they found only a few bent pilings on the rock, and during the storm the two assistant keepers stationed in the lighthouse died at their post. The ledge was about 20 feet wide and exposed during low tide, but invisible as the tide grew. It was only exposed for two or three hours a day. A narrow rock was decided to be the site of the construction – 75 feet long. The construction crew were put off by the tide and could only work on very calm days. The work was conducted from a schooner, which carried the materials needed, and the construction crew slept on board. When storms were predicted, the ship would fl oat into Cohasset Harbor for safety. Nine holes were drilled into the solid rock 12 inches wide and fi ve feet deep, placed in a circle of eight 25 feet across, and a ninth was drilled into the center. The crew then cemented iron piling 10 inches in diameter in the holes. Four men worked 20-minute shifts at drilling from a platform above the ledge. The apparatus upon which the men worked was swept by two storms in the summer CLEANING UP | FROM PAGE 4 volved in routine cleanups along Eastern Avenue. Lynch told selectmen that he has picked up about 19,000 nip bottles since 2014. He also estimates that he has picked up more than 100,000 beer cans and beer bottles during that time. “Thank you very much for what you do to keep Saugus clean,” Riley told Lynch. “I wish people would stop making piles and take back the nickel,” she said. Cogliano suggested that all cleanup activity that “The Old Sachem,” Bill Stewart. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Joanie Allbee) of 1847, and the workmen were often swept into the sea, but none drowned. Work continued to completion. The fi rst keeper, Isaac Dunham, wrote to Washington, D.C., that the structure was not safe and resigned. Captain John W. Bennett was hired as a replacement and was satisfi ed that the structure was adequate. During a large storm on March 16, 1851, the two keepers who lived in the lighthouse had become terrifi ed. On April 17 a storm destroyed the structure, and one of the keepers washed ashore at Nantasket and the other survived. A new lighthouse was established on August 20, 1860. The new structure has been able to withstand violent wind and sea. The light was made automatic in 1947 and today the 45,000-candle light, 85 feet above the water, can be seen 15 miles away. In spite of the problems encountered, the lighthouse stands today as a remarkable feat to survive. (Editor’s Note: Bill Stewart, who is better known to Saugus Advocate readers as “The Old Sachem,” writes a weekly column – sometimes about sports. He also opines on current or historical events or famous people.) Lynch gets involved with is great exercise. “I’m sure it helps keep you young,” Cogliano said. Serino said he thinks that Lynch is so active that he has “the DPW trained.” Cicolini said Lynch has “set the bar” for other citizens to follow. “Having people like you who truly take pride in our community is awesome,” Cicolini said. Panetta said Lynch’s involvement in cleanups around Saugus seem to be a daily occurrence. “I love doing it and enjoy doing it,” Lynch said.
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