Bug Light March 30, 2013

Observations and Reactions:

            I had never visited Bug Light before this. I was amazed how cool it was and I was amazed that I had never visited. When you enter the park it appears that it isn’t anything other than a small field and the little light house. After walking around some you stumble upon a monument dedicated to the liberty ships built in World War II. The monument is probably the coolest I’ve seen in Maine. It has countless facts about the liberty ships and the workers who built them. Although the shipyards are no longer there the modern shipping industry is still present. There are docks nearby for cargo ships. The one ship that was docked was approximately 89 light years long and dwarfed any other boat I’ve ever seen. The park was very cool and I will definitely visit again.

            The people at the park weren’t there for the historical facts as I was. People seem to visit for the lighthouse and to play with their dogs. The museum was closed (it opens in May) and I suspect that more people will visit when that is opened. Some folks were just sitting in their car soaking in the views the Maine coast has to offer.

Historical background:

            Bug Light Park is the site where Liberty ships were constructed during World War II. Now it is a recreational park with a monument dedicated to the ships and their builders. President Roosevelt created an emergency shipbuilding program to build 00 cargo ships for the British and American militaries. Construction of the shipyards began in April of 1941. The yards were constructed where people once lived. Natives sacrificed their homes in order for a shipyard to be built. Also, a countless amount of people from the greater Portland area became employees of the shipyard in South Portland.

            Over 2,700 liberty ships were constructed during World War II and they served in all theaters of the war. In Europe they aided in the transport of supplies before, during, and after D-Day. In the pacific they participated in General MacArthur’s island hopping campaign. The Liberty ships, without a doubt, helped tremendously in the Allied victory of World War II. During the war they were also aiding in the post-war life of the employees. “With the good wages shipyard workers warned, many saved for the future by purchasing war bonds”.

            The South Portland shipyards produced roughly one tenth of the total amount of Liberty ships produced during the war. Before hearing of the Liberty ships in class and before visiting Bug Light Park I had thought that the only place that Maine produced military vessels was at Bath Iron works. This is not the case. I had learned that war production occurred just fifteen minutes away from my home.

http://www.southportland.org/index.asp?Type=B_LOC&SEC={059CB2E3-8C7D-48A3-904A-89284C0A915C}&DE={40F3AD61-8F81-4F31-B122-B6904C747C54}

Signs at the park.

Public Boat Launch.

Looks smaller with my terrible camera.

Map of the shipyards.

Here it states that 236 Liberty Ships were constructed. Also, Mr. Newell was a key element to the shipyards at Bath Ironworks and in South Portland.

Very entertaining propaganda poster.

Here it says 266 ships were constructed.

Portland Head Light March 29, 2013

Observations and Reactions:

            I have never really visited Portland Head Light before. I’ve walked past it countless times as I was always more interested in the buildings and sites of Fort Williams. The light house appears to be in better condition than the rest of Fort Williams but I guess this is because it is maintained by the US Coast Guard and the town of Cape Elizabeth. As I walked around the light house I noticed that it has the best views of the surrounding ocean, better than anywhere else in the park. This would make sense as it is a light house and it makes sense for it to be visible. There was a painting on the rocks indicating the event of when Annie C. Maguire ran aground and I found this a little eerie.

            The parking lot was filled with cars (even though the museum is not open for another three weeks). About half of the cars were from out of state. Perhaps this is proof that when those from away think of Maine also think of the iconic light house. As an adopted Mainer I can visit the site for free whenever I want but I don’t for some reason. When I go to visit the fort in the future I will definitely make sure to visit the light house.

Historical Background:

            Portland Head Light is an active aid to navigation for the United States Coast Guard. Portland Head Light’s construction was completed in January of 1791. A combination of funds from Massachusetts and United States Congress enabled its construction. Originally, the lighthouse was seventy-two feet tall and lit by whale oil lanterns. However, over the course of its lifetime, additions were added to the light house. The ‘Keeper’s Quarters’ was constructed in 1790 and replaced in 1816 in order to fit the Keeper’s family. In addition to adding twenty feet to the total height of the light house two new lenses were installed in 1864 and 1865 The Keeper’s Quarters was again reconstructed in 1891. In 1989 the light house became automated.

            Over the years there has been only one outstanding event that has occurred at Portland Head Light. In 1886 the Annie C. Maguire ran aground at Portland Head Light and, with the aid of the Keeper and his family, the crew and captain of the vessel were helped to safety.

            Also, since its construction, the ownership of the light house has changed. Originally, it was the responsibility of the United States Department of the Treasury. In 1852 it was placed under control of the US Lighthouse Board and in 1939 the Coast Guard became in charge of the navigational aspects of the light house. 1n 1993 the light house was given to the town of Cape Elizabeth. However, despite the fact that Cape Elizabeth owns the property, the US Coast Guard still maintains the navigational aspects of the light house.

            Portland Head Light is in Fort Williams Park and is currently the most photographed lighthouse in America. It is a symbol of Maine as it is a tourist attraction and if you Google ‘Maine’ the first page of images is filled with pictures of the light house.

http://lighthouse.cc/portlandhead/

http://www.portlandheadlight.com/about.html

View from the parking lot.

All the Keepers of the lighthouse until it became automatic in 1989.

Chad's hand and lighthouse.

Proof of Visit. My hat on the original bell.

The front of the Keeper's Quarters

My friend Chad, who I ran into, is seen ruining my pictures.

When leaving the lighthouse this sign presents Fort Williams to the visitors.