The Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse

On our drive to an event in New Hampshire a few years ago, we made several tourist-y stops. One of our favorites was the visit to the Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse in York, Maine.

A glorious warm day in early September, still summery but lacking the bite of the heat, the sight of the lighthouse was picture perfect. We were impressed by the kindness of the people there, as well … one of the groundskeepers even positioned me in just the right spot to capture the best angle and composition.

Would you like a bit of history?  A lighthouse was requested on this site by local mariners as early as 1807, but a formal proposal in 1837 was refused on the grounds that there were already several other lights in the vicinity.

Tragically, not 5 years later the bark Isadore wrecked just north of the island.  Legends tell of a dream dreamt by one of the Isadore’s sailors the night before she sailed on what would be her final voyage.  In his dream,  seven coffins were lined up on the shore and a voice told him that one would be his. Another crewmember, Thomas King, dreamt of its wreck as well and hid in the brush, emerging only after she sailed. Seven bodies (including that of the prophetic seaman), washed ashore, followed by the captain’s leg.

Some say the phantom ship with its crew can still be seen sailing past the light.

It was nearly 40 years more before Congress finally appropriated $15,000 for the construction of the Nubble in 1876.  The 41-foot cast iron tower, lined in brick, was illuminated for the first time on July 1, of that year.

I hope we can make a trip up that way again some day.  Glorious area, and I’d love to do a lot more exploring.

So?  Any lighthouse stories out there that you’d like to share??  Mariner-ghost stories?  Would love to hear from you!

By the way … I did not see the ghost ship.

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