Boston Harbor Lighthouse
Boston, Massachusetts
Built in 1716
Location:
On Little Brewster Island marking the entrance to Boston Harbor. Tours are offered to cruise pass the island and park tours are available to get on the island and explore the lighthouse during the summer months.
Latitude: 42° 19' 42" N
Longitude: 70° 53' 24" W
Historic Stories:
Boston Harbor was deep and large enough to become the premier commercial center in America during colonial times. Any vessels entering the harbor had to pass between the rocky Brewster Islands in the outer harbor and a peninsula on the mainland called Point Allerton in the town of Hull. Harbors, islands, and coastal shores featured early beacons that were not used for navigation, but rather to warn islanders, mainland communities, and fishermen of approaching enemy ships.
In 1715, as shipping traffic increasingly filled the harbor, the General Court of Massachusetts passed the Boston Light Bill to construct a beacon for navigational purposes on what we now call Little Brewster Island. At that time, it was known as Beacon Island, and some speculate that a form of beacon may have been utilized to signal enemy ships on the rocky island prior to the construction of Boston Harbor Light. Boston Harbor Light became operational on September 14, 1716, with George Worthylake serving as its first keeper.
Tragedies at Early Boston Harbor Lighthouse
The first keeper was George Worthylake. On a cold November day in 1718, he was returning to the lighthouse on a sloop from Boston after collecting his pay while gathering supplies with his wife, one of his daughters, Ruth, a servant, and a friend, John Edge. The seas were choppy from the gusts of wind whipped up by an approaching storm. The sloop was anchored a distance from the lighthouse for safety from the rocky shore. Their slave Shadwell took a boat from the island to ferry the five passengers to the lighthouse. The keeper's other daughter, Ann, watched on the shore with a friend, waiting to greet everyone. As the wind intensified, Ann watched in horror as the canoe capsized under the weight of the six passengers, spilling them into the freezing waters and drowning them all.
The second interem keeper, Robert Saunders, drowned just a couple weeks after the tragedy of the Worthylakes.
Hearing of the tragedies, a young 12-year old Benjamin Franklin, was encouraged by his brother to put his locally known writing skills in creating a poem based on the disaster. Franklin wrote a poem called “The Lighthouse Tragedy” and made copies to sell on the streets of Boston.
The third keeper, John Hayes, requested that "a great gun be placed on Said Island to answer ships in a fog." His request was granted, but the responsibilities related to maintaining the cannon were added to his duties without a pay increase. In 1720, Hayes attempted to extinguish a fire in the tower after a candle spilled onto a wooden bench. The Council did not provide his pay until he could prove that the fire was not set intentionally. Eventually, he persuaded the committee of his innocence and was given back his pay.
In the mid-1700’s when lightning struck the tower a number of times, a lighting rod was originally approved for installation, but was hampered at first by local religious individuals who didn’t want to interfere with the acts of God. A lightning conductor was eventually placed on the tower in the 1770s, it was one of many inventions developed by Ben Franklin.
During the Revolution, on June 13, 1776, armed Colonials fired upon the British blockaders on the island, driving most of them away. One British vessel was left anchored at Little Brewster Island, and those British soldiers, before retreating, set gunpowder in the lighthouse and blew it up. In 1776, retreating British forces blew it up. Colonial troops destroyed the light three times during the Revolutionary War when the British occupied the beacon to use it to navigate around Boston harbor. After the war, in 1783, the tower was rebuilt to its current state.
| The lighthouse was rebuilt years later in 1783. The present tower has been standing for more than 240 years. |
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During the War of 1812, on a summer day in 1813, the battle between the American Navy’s U.S.S. Chesapeake and the English warship HMS Shannon took place near the lighthouse. This is the event at which Captain Lawrence of the Chesapeake was known to have made his famous cry, "Don’t give up the ship!" However, the Chesapeake lost the battle, and Captain Lawrence was killed in the fight.
In the mid-1840’s, Keeper Tobias Cook set up a cigar factory on Brewster Island next to the lighthouse. Here he employed young women to manufacture what he called "Spanish Cigars". It was an effort to deceive Boston smokers into thinking that the cigars were imported. These poor women toiled under what are considered miserable conditions under Cook. He was removed from duty when he was later discovered by authorities in 1849.
The nation’s first fog signal which was a canon set up in 1719 was eventually replaced by a 1375-pound fog bell operated by clockwork machinery in 1851.
Shipwrecks and Rescues
By Boston Harbor Lighthouse
Over the centuries, there were many shipwrecks around Little Brewster Island, alongside daring rescues made by lighthouse keepers and the lifesavers from the Point Allerton station, which is located at the end of a long peninsula on the mainland in Hull. The Point Allerton Life Saving Station was situated about two miles across the shipping channel from the lighthouse and the island. During numerous storms, signals were coordinated between the keeper of Boston Light and the lifesavers of Hull, as the keeper's primary duty was to maintain the light. In contrast, the lifesavers were specially trained for rescues.
The worst tragedy in Boston Harbor occurred when the massive square rigger ship, the Maritana was caught in a fierce November storm in 1861, of gale force winds and blinding snow. It became wedged on Shag Rocks around 1:00 a.m. on November 3. The pinnacle-shaped outcrop of rocks was a little over 750 yards away from the lighthouse.
Around 8:30 that morning, the storm and crashing waves became overwhelming for the vessel, which broke in two, sending many of its crew and passengers into the icy waters. Only twelve survivors managed to climb onto the ice-covered rocks and await rescue.
Due to the deadly storm, Keeper Moses Barrett was unable to leave his post the following morning when he saw the wreck. He attempted to signal the Hull Lifesavers, who did not notice the flag through the blinding snow until later that afternoon when the storm began to dissipate. The lifesavers from Point Allerton were finally able to rescue all twelve survivors, but 26 people drowned in the Maritana tragedy.
Over the years, many shipwrecks occurred around Little Brewster Island, including the coal schooner Fanny Pike, which was wrecked on Shag Rocks during a storm on January 31, 1882. Keeper Thomas Bates and his men rescued all the crew members.
Another incident involved the schooner Calvin F. Baker, which was caught in a blinding snowstorm on November 27th, 1898, and wrecked on Little Brewster Island. Keeper Pingree spotted the wreck during breaks in the snowstorm, which brought hurricane-force winds. He sent a distress signal to the trained lifesavers of Point Allerton, as he could not rescue anyone due to the storm's ferocity. Captain Joshua James of the Point Allerton lifesavers also found himself unable to initiate any rescue until the following morning, November 28th, when the storm finally began to subside. The lifesavers secured a tugboat to help tow their lifeboat across the channel in open waters, and then they used their lifeboat to rescue the remaining five survivors. Unfortunately, three of them had perished.
The U.S.S. Alacrity wrecked on the ice-covered ledges off Little Brewster Island, near the lighthouse, on February 3, 1918, just before daybreak. Twenty-four men clung to the wreck in freezing February temperatures, knowing that if they remained on the boat much longer, it would soon sink beneath the icy seas.
Keeper Charles Jennings attempted to shoot a line to the wreck using a cannon-style Lyle gun but was unsuccessful after four attempts. He then decided to take his dory and, with the help of two local sailors from the island, undertook the perilous journey to maneuver the wooden boat over the ice floes and reach the wreck. He managed to secure a line to the wreck and began the daunting task of rescuing some of the freezing sailors from the ship, as the wooden dory was relatively small and could carry only about half a dozen survivors at a time. He then navigated through the treacherous ice and surf until the men reached the shore safely. With heroic determination, the keeper took the boat out three more times amidst the freezing surf and successfully saved all twenty-four men from the U.S.S. Alacrity.
Boston Harbor lighthouse was the first to be constructed to be operated by appointed keepers, and it was the last lighthouse to be automated in 1998. It had 70 keepers maintaining it during its tenure.
In 2013, Boston Harbor Lighthouse was chosen as one of a series of five New England lighthouses, painted by artist Howard Koslow, for the "Forever" stamp collection sold at all US Postal stations.
The Last Lighthouse Keeper in America
Until recently, Boston Harbor Lighthouse was the only beacon in the nation with an official keeper. Her name was Sally Snowman, and she maintained the lighthouse for 7 months each year. For the rest of the time, she visited the island about once a month to ensure everything was in fine working order. Each summer season, she dressed in colonial period costume for visitors and was involved in recruiting, training, and scheduling Boston Light’s 70 auxiliary volunteers. Additionally, she was the 70th keeper at the beacon and its first woman keeper.
On September 14, 2016, Boston Light celebrated its 300th anniversary.
On December 31, 2023, after two decades of tending Boston Harbor Lighthouse (she was hired in 2003), Sally Snowman retired as the last lighthouse keeper in America. The lighthouse will be maintained by a private owner. At 72 years old, Snowman plans to spend her time volunteering at the Lifesaving Museum in Hull and hopes to visit Boston Harbor Light as a volunteer tour guide. A sign outside the keeper's house reads, “We will leave the light on for you.”
Places to Visit Nearby:
| Visit the New England Aquarium by the waterfront and famous Faneuil Hall Marketplace nearby for specialty shopping, and cultural arts and events. |
Children are surprised by Faneuil Hall statues moving. |
The waterfront also offers an outdoor museum for visitors to explore the Nation’s oldest Naval ship, the USS Constitution (Old Ironsides).
Boston offers plenty of cultural and diverse events for any tourist.
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There are also trips you can take to view three lighthouses, in including Boston Harbor Lighthouse, as part of a narrated tour by the National Park Rangers. |
The Boston Harbor Island Park Service, in coordination with the newly formed Boston Harbor Now alliance, has developed an exciting 2-hour narrated tour focusing on the maritime history of Boston Harbor. Visitors can get close-up views of Graves Lighthouse, Long Island Head Lighthouse, and the famous Boston Harbor Lighthouse on Little Brewster Island.
| You'll find great views of the Boston harbor skyline from any of the tours out in the harbor. | 
Boston Harbor Skyline |
Boston is one of the largest cities on the east coast with plenty of rich history; you can take guided walking tours to Boston’s historic places, like the Freedom Trail, or explore the Bunker Hill Monument that marked one of the starting events of the American Revolution.
Visit some of Boston’s 40 museums. Take in some of its cultural and varied events and nightlife to enjoy.
Boston Duck Boat Tours |
Check out the unique Boston Duck Tours for a true land and water experience. |
Get involved and hike in the Boston Harborwalk tours, which connects Boston's waterfront to open space networks and various trails surrounding Boston.
Check out Boston's North End, Boston's oldest neighborhood, after visiting Boston Harbor Light and surrounding lighthouses in the harbor from Long Wharf. You'll plenty of Italian cuisine and other ethnic cuisine, and lots of festivals and events year round.
Boston's South End also boasts some incredible restaurants with many buildings displaying elegant Victorian architecture. It too has plenty of ethnic and arts festivals year round.
Boston Symphony Hall. |
For those who enjoy a bit of cultural activity, visit the Boston Symphony Hall, home of the Boston Symphony and Boston Pops orchestras. |
In addition to musical shows and events, families can learn about musical instruments from musicians. The Museum of Fine Arts is one of the most comprehensive art museums in the world with a collection of nearly 45,0000 works.
The Huntington Theatre Company is Boston’s leading professional theater for those who want to take in a show, or visit a classic show provided by the world famous Boston Ballet. If you love loud, crazy, and let’s say something definitely different, you must see Blue Man Group!
Contact Info:
Boston Harbor Island Park Service
191W Atlantic Ave
Boston, MA 02110
Phone: (617) 223-8666
Boston Harbor Now
1 Constitution Road
Boston, MA 02129
Phone: (617) 223-8667
Email: info@bostonharbornow.org
Boston's Waterfront Directions
Directions to Boston's Rowes Wharf for Harbor Cruises:
- Heading North, be wary of construction detours:
- Take US Route I-93 North to the Logan Airport I-90)/S. Station exit towards Worcester, Exit #20
- Continue towards Frontage Road/South Station
- Bear right towards Kneeland Street/Downtown
- Continue on Atlantic Avenue
- Rowes Wharf is on the right.
- Heading East towards Boston, be wary of construction detours:
- Take Take US Route I-90 East (Massachusetts Turnpike) to the 24 A-B-C/I-93/South station exit towards Concord NH/Quincy.
- Continue towards South Station, Exit #24A
- Continue on Atlantic Avenue
- Rowes Wharf is on the right.
- Heading South, be wary of construction detours:
- Take US Route I-93 South to the Purchase Street exit, Exit #23
- At the traffic light, turn left onto Congress Street
- At the next traffic light, turn left onto Atlantic Avenue
- Rowes Wharf is on the right.
Directions Public Subway Transportation (MBTA):
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Take the Blue Line to Aquarium Station
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Turn LEFT immediately out of the station
Continue on Atlantic Avenue -
Rowes Wharf is on the left.
Directions to Boston's Long Wharf for Harbor Cruises
- Heading South, by wary of construction detours:
- Take US Route 93 South to Exit 24A bearing right on off ramp (Government Center).
- Follow signs to Aquarium Wharf. Boston Harbor Cruises is located between the Aquarium and Marriott Hotel.
- Heading North, by wary of construction detours:
- Take US Route 93 North to Exit 23 (Government Center).
- Follow signs to Aquarium Wharf.
- Boston Harbor Cruises is located between the Aquarium and Marriott Hotel
Local Boat Tours For Visitors
Boston Harbor Islands Park Service and Boston Harbor Now
Narrated trips by the park rangers are provided with boat trips running every weekend during the summer where visitors can see Boston Harbor Lighthouse, Graves Lighthouse, and Long Island Head Lighthouse. They have been directly involved in the preservation of all 34 islands in the harbor. Boston Harbor Now is the non-profit partner of the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park. They also offer public ferry service, cultural and recreational activities, etc.
Note: Boston Light is undergoing repairs from damage caused by a series of devastating winter storms, therefore, there are no tours of the lighthouse tower but you can take tours to view the lighthouse close up from the water.
Boston Harbor Island Park Service
191W Atlantic Ave
Boston, MA 02110
Phone: (617) 223-8666
Boston Harbor Now
1 Constitution Road
Boston, MA 02129
Phone: (617) 223-8667
Email: info@bostonharbornow.org
Books to Explore
New England's Haunted Lighthouses: 
Available in paperback. |
Explore the historical mysteries surrounding the haunted lighthouses of New England! This image-rich book features ghost stories about spirits of devoted keepers who linger, victims of foul play or local shipwrecks, ghost ships, lost souls, and more, blending maritime history with the supernatural. Examine various sightings and paranormal accounts at Boston Harbor Light. Explore the tales linked with these iconic beacons! |
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 the ten original six-masted coal schooners and one colossal seven-masted vessel, built to carry massive quantities of coal and building supplies, and measured longer than a football field! In fact, Boston was one of the main ports for these massive ships for delivery. This self-published book, balanced with plenty of color and vintage images, showcases the true stories that followed each of these eleven mighty vessels, including their final voyages. Some of these vessels were built in nearby Quincy. |
Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions of Southern New England: Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts This lighthouse tourism book provides special human interest stories from each of the 92 lighthouses along the southern New England states. There are plenty of details regarding indoor and outdoor coastal attractions and tours, with contact info to help with your vacation plans. You'll find plenty of Boston attractions and tours, along with whale watching, sailing, local cruises, and lighthouse tours listed as well. Look inside!
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New England Lighthouses: Famous Shipwrecks, Rescues & Other Tales This image-rich book contains over 50 stories of famous shipwrecks and rescues around New England lighthouses, and also tales of hauntings. In one of New England's most devastating storms during the Thanksgiving week of 1898, you'll find stories of the sinking of the giant steamship Portland leaving Boston for Portland in Maine, and famous rescues in the "Perfect Storm". |
You'll find this book and my lighthouse tourism books published by Schiffer Books.