The History of Tuckers Island and Its Lighthouse
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Newsletter of The Delaware Bay Lighthouse Keepers and Friends Association, Inc. Volume 22 Issue 12 “Our mission is to preserve the history of the March 2015 Delaware Bay and River Lighthouses, Lightships and their Keepers” THE HISTORY OF TUCKERS ISLAND AND ITS LIGHTHOUSE Tuckerton was named for its founder, Ebenezer Tucker, who settled there in 1698 and eventually be- came New Jersey’s Congressman in the House of Representatives. It seems that the town was originally named Clamtown until Ebenezer decided to throw a big party naming the town for himself. Reuben Tucker was the first postmaster. The first stagecoach line between Tuckerton and Philadelphia was established; the trip took 2 days. Tuckerton was considered New Jersey’s first summer resort off shore from Little Egg Harbor. This building (photo) is a replica of the Tuckers Island Lighthouse off the southern end of Long Beach Island and near the entrance to Little Egg Harbor Bay in New Jersey. This is the second lighthouse on Tuckers Island; the original was built in 1848 but was abandoned and no longer in use by 1859. The original lighthouse was a one-story building that had a very dim light that was so weak it could be mistaken for the light from a ship. Built by businessmen, it was once used for the storage of merchandise. At that time, the people living in the lighthouse were scavengers. The light was extinguished during the Civil War. In 1867 when the remodeled lighthouse was opened, the Rider Family was the first family to inhabit it when Eber Rider Sr., was named Keeper of the Light. Research shows that a keeper was paid $160 annually. Mr. & Mrs. Rider had twenty-one children who helped maintain the light and the surrounding area. Luckily thirteen lived to adulthood. Their family’s continual lighthouse keeping for 60 years set a record for service. The obituary for Eber Rider, Sr., in 1906 noted that under him and his wife, Mary, the lighthouse was known to be a haven for those in distress. Many unfortunate sailors and needy boys found food, clothing and shelter there. The article said that in the early days, the Life Saving Stations were not equipped to provide care for shipwrecked sailors, and Captain and Mrs. Rider often fulfilled that need onTuckers Island. (Continued on Page 3) In This Issue: 2 - A Beam from the President’s Desk 3 - From the Log of The Vice President, Crossed Over The Bar & Continued from page 1 Tuckers Island 4 - Peggy’s Corner & Miah Maull 5 - Cruise News 6 - Bits N’ Pieces & Mail Call 7 - Travels with The Editor 8 - Pictures of the Winter Meeting at Tuckerton A BEAM FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK Page 2 Angelo S. Rigazio, Jr. Page 2 I hope the long cold winter weather is going to be over soon. The record cold spells we have had this winter THE BAY RUN” is the official publication of The Delaware should remind us ofBay what Lighthouse winters use Keepers to be. and Luckily, Friends we Association, have been sparedInc. and these is temperatures these past few A BEAM From years. I went downpublished to the Delaware quarterly Bay throughout to check the out year. the iceA subscription and it brought to theback memories of winters on Har- bor of Refuge Lightnewsletter with the isice included up against with the the breakwater cost of membership. and incased Annual on the light. There is nothing like the The Presidents sound of ice as it movesMembership back and dues forth are up$20.00 and downfor the with calendar the ti yeardes, beginningsometimes keeping us awake at night. March 1st.Back issues are usually available for members joining Desk By Also the Cape May-Lewes Ferry has been iced in causing the cancellation of 20 ferry crossings. This winter Angelo S. Rigazio, Jr. is the worst for cancellationsmid-year. Materials in the history are copyrighted of the Ferry. and The may not be reproduced Cape May Canal is enveloped in ice andwithout the Delawarepermission Bay of theis froz DBLHKFA,en. (see photos Inc. President’s Message p. 8) The coast guard ice breakers haveFor been Newsletter busy trying ideas, to Contact keep the Bay and Well, it appears, spring willRiver be channels here early open this to the year. Port of Philadelphia. We are having nice warm weather already, let’s hope DBLHKFA c/o Maxine Mulligan So, let’s say good bye to the winter1049 of Simca2014-15 Terr., and welcomeVineland, spring NJ 08360 with Mother Nature doesn’t throwopen us arms. any Isurprises. do hope ol’ man winter Ewill-Mail go –away [email protected] soon. Here is a picture of the As you all know, membershipsconcrete areship, renewable SS Atlantus, each in the Delaware Bay at Cape May’s Sunset Beach dur- year in March, so don’t forgeting the to winter send ofyour 1978. renewal The bay frozeJim over Moffatt and people actually could walk out to form and check back if youthe haven’t ship. I really done don’t so to want date. to complain1728 too Woodcrest much as myDr relatives,Vineland, who NJ 08361live up in Our Mission depends on youMassachusetts, annual support. are still I digging don’t out. KeepE-Mail the - [email protected] shining!!! Angelo want you to miss a single issue of our “Bay Run” The DBLHKFA, Inc. Officers and Directors newsletter, that keeps us allTHE updated BAY RUNon the is the official publication of The Delaware Bay Lighthouse Keepers and Friends Association, Inc. and is President……………… Angelo S. Rigazio, Jr. happenings in our organizationpublished and quarterlyover all interestingthroughout the year. A subscription to the newsletter is included with the cost of membership, Annual Vice President…… Gaylord F (Dusty) Pierce articles. Thanks to the teamMembership that spend dues endless are $25.00 time for theChairman calendar ofyear the beginning Board………...Rod March 1st. Mulligan Back issues are usually available for members developing and researchingjoining for each mid-year. interesting Materials are copyrightedTreasurer……………………Maxine and may not be reproduced Mulligan without permission of the DBLHKFA, Inc. articles .Jim Moffatt, Maxine Mulligan and other Secretary……………………...Darlene Rigazio contributors also our photoForgraphers Newsletter Bill Geilfuss ideas, Contact and Membership………………....……BoardEva Moffatt of Directors Dr. Bruce Middleton. TheyDBLHKFA all do such c/o a fineMaxine job. MulliganActivities/Programs………...PeggyRod Stapleford Mulligan, Bill Geilfuss, Anthony Giletto, Sunshine/Hospitality……….........Katie Moser Cruise dates have been set1049 and Simca approved, Terrace, with Vineland, our New Jersey 08360 Jim Gardner and Katie Moser th Publicity…………………………….Jean Jones first one on July 15 , an outstandingEmail: [email protected] cruise to Harbor Historian…………………….Peggy Stapleford of Refuge Lighthouse (this was my Keepers location) Ways and Means Anthony Giletto Hope to see you there. Be sure to check to web site DBLHKFA,Newsletter……Jim Inc. Moffatt, Officers Maxine Mulliganand Directors and newsletter for all of the important dates. Webmaster…………………….Kelly Mulligan I am hoping to have as manyPresident former ................................... lighthouse AngeloScholarship S. Rigazio, Committee……...Anthony Jr. Sunshine/Hospitality Giletto ..............................Katie Moser keepers as possible attendVice National President Lighthouse ......................................... Day Board oBillf D iGeilfussrectors Publicity .........................................Maxine Mulligan on August 7th at Hereford Inlet Lighthouse in North Chairman of the Board ..........................Rod Mulligan,Rod Mulligan Bill Geilfuss, TonyHistorian Giletto .........................................Peggy Stapleford Wildwood. It would be nice to have a reunion that day Jim Gardner and Katie Moser as we celebrate this nationalTreasurer event. Lots......................................... of activities Maxine Mulligan Ways and Means .............................. Anthony Giletto will be planned for every Secretarymember of ........................................... your family. PhonDarlenee Num bRigazioers an d E-MNewsletterail Addr .......................................esses Maxine Mulligan You can’t miss this great firstMembership time event! .......................................... Please A. RigazioElma Gardner(609) 884 -1329 [email protected] ......................................... Kelly Mulligan contact me if you would likeActivities/Programs to be part of this ..........................G.F.PiercePeggy Stapleford(302) 684 -3512 [email protected] Committee ................... Anthony Giletto celebration. Till then… R & M Mulligan (856 )691-8224 [email protected] J Jones (856) 825-3386 [email protected] Jim Gardner (856) 825-0123 [email protected] “Keep the light shining” BillPhone Geilfuss Numbers(732)-477 and-7768 [email protected] Addresses Katie Moser (215)-844-8548 [email protected] A. Rigazio-(609) 884-1329 • [email protected]. Rigazio (609) 884-1329 [email protected] & M Mulligan-(856) 691-8224 • [email protected] Angelo P Stapleford (484)-947-3191 [email protected]. Jim & Elma Gardner-(856) 825-0123 • [email protected] & Eve Moffatt (856)691 -0201 [email protected] Moser-(215) 884-8548 • [email protected] Tony Giletto (856)482-8874 [email protected] Bill Geilfuss-(215) 872-9506 • [email protected]. Mulligan (856)-691-8224 Kelly@delawarebaylightkeeperD. Rigazio-(609) 884-1329- • [email protected] friend.org P. Stapleford-(484) 947-3191 • [email protected] Tony Giletto-(856) 482-8874 • [email protected] The Delaware Bay Lighthouse Keepers and