Haunted Lighthouses in Southern Maine
New England is filled with tales of ghosts and other folklore. Many of these controversial stories are the result of actual events that occurred beforehand. Many reported sightings were made by respected townsfolk, tourists, mariners, officers, or lighthouse keepers themselves.
Ghost of Blackbeard's Wife
White Island (Isles of Shoals) Light, Rye, NH
The Isles of Shoals consist of nine islands situated about six miles off the coast of New Hampshire and southern Maine. Ownership of the islands is divided among the states. The first and only lighthouse in the Isles of Shoals was built on White Island, on the New Hampshire side, in 1821. Before the lighthouse was constructed, Blackbeard is believed to have visited the Isles of Shoals with one of his wives and left a part of his treasure on nearby Lunging Island, initially known as Londoner’s Island. The island served as an ideal location, being established as an original seventeenth-century British trading post, where boats could come and go quickly. He departed, making her swear to stay near the treasure until his return. However, Blackbeard never came back, as he was captured in North Carolina and killed.
Despite numerous searches, no treasure has ever been found; but witnesses have observed and documented the appearance of Blackbeard’s wife over the centuries. On White Island, Lunging Island, and other surrounding islands, this apparition manifests as a tall woman cloaked in dark sea fabric, with long, flowing blonde hair. She has been spotted on the rocks, gazing out at the water as if searching for her husband, shouting, “He will return.”
During the Blizzard of 1978, one of New England’s worst snowstorms, a Coast Guardsman was securing and tying down items around the boathouse to prevent them from being washed away. At the height of the storm, while risking his life, a ghostly female figure appeared before him, saying, “Don’t worry; everything will be fine.” A few years later, in 1980, another Coast Guardsman was inside the covered walkway connecting the lighthouse tower to the keeper’s building during another storm. He heard a woman’s voice warning him of impending danger. Could this spirit be Blackbeard’s wife?
Consequently, screeching, human-like sounds have been heard from White Island; however, many believe these sounds originate from the snowy white owls that frequent the area and emit a shrill cry when disturbed.
Friendly Keeper Ghost Loves the Attention
Portsmouth harbor Light, Portsmouth, NH
The Portsmouth Harbor lighthouse was built in 1771 on the site of what was once Fort William and Mary, a location occupied by the British during the American Revolution. This fort played a role in one of the early acts of rebellion against the British when patriots stole ammunition one night to be used for the Battle of Bunker Hill. After the Revolution, the fort was renamed Fort Constitution.
The lighthouse helped save many ships and mariners during storms that battered the rocky coastline. However, many others still wrecked on the rocky shores outside the harbor, became ensnared in the treacherous tidal currents of the Piscataqua River, or found themselves stranded a few miles out at the Isles of Shoals. The fort and lighthouse, situated on New Castle Island just outside of Portsmouth, provided a refuge for those rescued and in need of assistance, as well as for those who had perished, including those who died in service there. Numerous ghost sightings and stories have emerged in the area ever since.
Lighthouse Keeper Joshua Card, a longtime resident of the area, served for 35 years from 1874 to 1909 and is associated with many ghost stories at the lighthouse station. Although he passed away in 1911 at the age of 86, sightings and sounds attributed to his ghost have persisted for many years. Reports of sightings of Card’s ghost include personnel stationed at the nearby Coast Guard building, who observed a "shadowy figure" roaming the grounds at night. One day, one of the co-chairs of Friends of Portsmouth Lighthouse was painting in the lighthouse's lantern room, he heard a voice say, "How are you doing?" When the co-chair yelled down, there was no one present.
There was also an investigation by members of the show Ghost Hunters, who documented footsteps on the lighthouse stairs, knocking, voices, and strange noises in the keeper’s quarters. The ghost of keeper Joshua Card seems to enjoy the attention, along with some other unknown spirits. He still visits the lighthouse some nights, ensuring the light is tended to and helping guide boaters and ships to port.
One night, the New England Ghost Project came to investigate. With no one at the tower, one of the members asked, “Do you enjoy our presence here?” The response was, “Yes.”
Click this link Joshua Card During and After Life for more intricate details, to be directed to my Lighthouse Stories blog section.
Books to Explore
Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions of Southern New England: Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts This book provides special human interest stories from each of the 92 lighthouses, along with plenty of indoor and outdoor coastal attractions you can explore, including parks, museums, boat cruises and tours. You'll also find over 360 images to enjoy as well. Look inside! |
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Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions of Northern New England: This book provides human interest stories from each of the 76 lighthouses in northern New England, along with plenty of coastal attractions and tours near each beacon, and contact info to plan your special trips. Look inside! |
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This book is available in paperback, hardcover, and as an eBook for all devices.
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The Rise and Demise of the Largest Sailing Ships: In the early 1900s, New England shipbuilders constructed the world’s largest sailing ships amid social and political reforms. These giants of sail were built to carry massive quantities of coal and building supplies and measured longer than a football field! These true stories include competitions, accidents, battling destructive storms, acts of heroism, and their final voyages. |
