March 28, 2024

Friends Honor Pomham Rocks’ First Lighthouse Keepers at Gravesite Ceremony

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About 20 people gathered at South Burial Ground in Warren, RI on Sunday afternoon, June 27. Participants heard about the life of the deceased and placed markers on the graves. But despite appearances, this was not a normal gravesite ceremony.

Members of Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse were on site to pay homage to Captain Charles H. Salisbury, the first Lighthouse Keeper of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse, and his wife, Mary, Pomham’s second Keeper. A Civil War veteran, Mr. Salisbury served as keeper at The Lighthouse, located on an island off the coast of Riverside, from its opening, Dec. 1, 1871 until his death in May 1893 at the age of 89. At that time, his wife took over as Keeper until a replacement was hired in November of that year.

The Friends were joined by Keri M. Cronin, President of the Warren Town Council, who brought greetings from the town. Also attending were Kate Michaud, Warren Town Manager, and Taylor Croft, U.S. Coast Guard Boatswain’s Mate. Judith Fardig represented Warren American Legion Auxilliary Unit 11 and David McCarthy represented Warren American Legion Post 104.

David Kelleher, board member of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse, and one of the original founders of The Friends, addressed the guests at the historic cemetery. He told them how it was Capt. Salisbury’s responsibility to light the oil lamp in the lantern room, check on it every four hours and trim the wicks so that the light would shine brightly from dusk to dawn. At sunrise, he would extinguish the light, clean the glass panels and oil lamp – before 10 a.m. each day – and refill the oil in the lamp.

Life in the northernmost lighthouse in Narragansett Bay was challenging for the Salisburys. In cold winters, one could walk across the ice the 800 feet from the light station to the shore. But in milder winters, a path needed to be cut through the ice to allow a boat to reach the island. There was no electricity, telephone, running water or indoor plumbing for a bathtub or toilet at Pomham Rocks at that time. Oil lamps produced the only light. Rain water was collected from the roof, stored in a brick and concrete cistern below the house, and pumped up to kitchen by means of a cast-iron hand pump. An outhouse was in the backyard.

In addition to keeping the light burning to safeguard vessels in the area, Captain Salisbury, in his wooden rowboat, saved six people from drowning in a three-month period, from May to July 1876 at the age of 72. Mrs. Salisbury had applied for the position of Assistant Light Keeper in 1872, but had been turned down. Upon her husband’s death in May 1893, she was appointed Light Keeper. Mr. Salisbury’s salary remained the same $500 a year for his entire 22 years as keeper. When Mrs. Salisbury was hired to replace him, performing the same duties with 22 years of experience, her salary was reduced to $480.

As part of a year-long celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Riverside light station, Dennis Tardiff, Chair of the Board of Directors of Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse, placed special historical markers on the Salisburys’ graves. Initiated by Tim Harrison, of the international publication “Lighthouse Digest,” the markers honor the sacrifices made by Lighthouse Keepers of the United States Lighthouse Service. The bronze markers which hold a U.S. flag, recognize the service and dedication of Lighthouse Keepers to the safety of those at sea. To learn more about Pomham Rocks Lighthouse, visit www.pomhamrockslighthouse.org.  

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