4th Order Fresnel Lantern

I got to snooping around at the lighthouse at Battery Point and took the lantern that was used with our 4th order,down for inspection. For the life of me I can't find where it's filled,or how to run up the wick. Another question asked frequently, how long will it burn with a full tank? I'll get a picture out eventually because it has occured to me there were different types
used with the 4th order. It is a not much different than what you would find in an old home. Frank

Any ghosts around to give you a hand?

Hey Laura, funny you would ask, the first day the tide had come in so we were all alone I was looking out to sea when I heard a female voice say "Helloooooo" it was clear enough for me to look for the source. We have had other occurances but I'll wait until our last day before I draw my conclusions about certain things. Perhaps before it's over I will get a hand. Frank

I hope you are writing down all your stories from your stay at the lighthouse. I know I am not the only one who would enjoy hearing them. How much longer are you there?

We are down to 8 days. It's been rather grueling as this has been our home and a museum. We have to clean up make our bed and turn it back into a museum every morning for tourist to track thru our bedroom and kitchen daily. Sand causes the biggest problem. I have many photos but interior shots have to be approved before posting. Frank

I didn't think it could all be a vacation. I bet there are times though when the tourists are gone, you have the place to yourselves and a chance to enjoy where you are. I especially would like to see the interior shots since I have not been inside...yet. I will get there again.

I think I have a few????????? LOL

Such a tease.

Let's have them Bob and I'll expound with each. Frank

Now Frank...you don't get out of posting pictures that easy.

Frank, if you are coming to the reunion I would love to sit and hear tales and see photos. Laura and I had such a good time on that trip, somday we will return.

I'm not aware of a reunion, when and where is it?
Speaking of tales, yesterday I learned a local newspaper ran an article on "Haunted Battery Point" I overheard a visitor,a big burly guy,say "I'm not going in there I'm just not going in" he was the one that told the other visitors about the article.He did take a tour but seemed uncomfortable the whole time. I will get some photos out I promise. Frank

Look on the main menu...2011 Alaska Reunion Cruise. Beautiful scenery, lighthouses, Harbour Lights and lots of wackos.

I wouldn't want to get you in trouble, salt?

Our second set of guest departed this a.m. before the tide came in. We had a lot of fun visiting all the crooks and crannies of this lighthouse and guessing about "things". The tides dictated when we could open the gift shop, mostly we stayed closed. The remarkable thing that happened was one of our guest told me when she was in the bath room she heard a girls voice say "Hello" at that time she asked her mom did she say something, mom said no. I heard the same thing on the first day, actually Sept.7th I purposely had not talked of my "hello" greeting so as not to set up power of suggestion. We agreed it was a friendly voice and was not scary. Frank

Say hello back...?

Duh, I never thought to return the greeting,good idea Laura how rude. We will have our final guest this evening for two days I'm not sure if I should bring up the subject, here again, power of suggestion. Frank

LOL...might be why she hasn't spoken to you again. You might try saying hello...and have a recorder running. Mostly I thing ghosts are a lot of hype..but every now and then there is something that makes me wonder. You should watch the Ghost Hunters first St. Augustine tape. That one makes you wonder.
I agree about the power of suggestion...tell that story to a group of teenage girls and you will get all kinds of things happening.

I did see T.A.P.S and the St Augustine tape. Well done, however I visited the Whaley House in San Diego and Most Haunted was there and the docents said the tape was embellished. Anyone who knows me knows I'm a straight shooter I won't make up things. I talked to the Director this morn. and told her what we heard and she said all kinds of things have come up out here in the past, but she hadn't heard the "hello" yet. Frank

We departed Battery Point Lighthouse 29 Sept. a.m
instead of Oct.1st due to tide restrictions. It was a nice month of interesting happenings,and meeting interesting people. The house felt foreign at first but after a few days became ours. It was asked if I would do it again,my answer is no as the knees can't take the spiral stairs a dozen times a day. Now it is on to Ferndale CA to visit their 1st order Fresnel,and to see how serious they are about keeping it on display. The Coast Guard wants it back.

Here we go Frank

The first one of Battery Point looks like a fairy book story picture doesn't it? The photo of the 4th order is good,but of importance is the lantern assigned to this Fresnel on the shelf. I just received operating instructions for it,too bad I'm not there to tinker with it. The window looks like it's in the radio room,can't be sure,the last one was the knee killer,up and down it all day. Thanks Bob,but I have a few more than that to share when I get home. Frank

Looking forward to Tall Tales on the cruise. PLEASE

We've made our way to Ferndale CA to see the first order Fresnel. It's in the ticket booth at the fairgrounds. The Coast Guard wants it back because they think it's at risk. This lens has been here since 1948 from the Cape Mendicino Lighthouse. The locals are rabid about it staying here,I see both sides of the story but it only takes one monster to destroy it as it really isn't protected very well here. We also stopped by the Trinidad Head Lighthouse and I got my passport stamped at an art gallery in town. We have one more lighthouse to visit here on Hwy 101 before home and that's Pt Cabrillo in Mendocino CA. which we may or not visit this trip as we are kinda pooped . Frank

Pt. Cabrillo is one you don't want to miss. This is over to your left as you approach the lighthouse.

And you can stay overnight!

We are still contemplating a visit to Pt Cabrillo as we are about 3hrs away or so but that Hwy 101 is a killer for a large motorhome. Visited Petrolia this p.m with the thought of visiting the Punta Gorda Lighthouse remnants. Thought better of it when town folks said it was a 4 mile hike. The 4th order Fresnel from Punta is in Eureka,CA. Frank

Hey Bob,

Nice photo of my arm and nose .

Completed our tour of duty as lighthouse keepers on the 29th of Sept. After visiting "light stations" on the way home we definately felt privileged to live in a "real" lighthouse at Battery Point. By the way,we felt it is haunted. Not in a dramatic way but never the less.....after 154 years of continual occupancy,why not?