Old Scituate Lighthouse is a photograph by Ben Prepelka which was uploaded on August 31st, 2016.
Old Scituate Lighthouse
Located on Boston's South Shore, Scituate is best known for its prominent lighthouse (one of America's oldest light-stations) and its famous Army of... more
by Ben Prepelka
Title
Old Scituate Lighthouse
Artist
Ben Prepelka
Medium
Photograph
Description
Located on Boston's South Shore, Scituate is best known for its prominent lighthouse (one of America's oldest light-stations) and its famous Army of Two. Scituate's natural harbor is small, and navigating into the well protected cove always proved difficult. Its shallow water and mud flats raised concerns and the need for a lighthouse was elevated to the United States Congress in 1811.
Completed in 1812, light keeper Simeon Bates and his family moved into the keeper's cottage along the long narrow spit to watch over the new lighthouse. The Bates family soon discovered that it wasn't going to be a peaceful stay. British warships cruised up and down the coast during the War of 1812, and troops entered the harbor and set fire to Scituate's fishing fleet. The oldest Bates girls were left at the light-station when the remainder of the family went to town for supplies. Rebecca and Abigail soon spied a warship off the coast with a barge of Redcoats headed for shore. The sisters picked up a fife and drum and hide behind a grove of cedars. When the British approached, the sisters created as much noise as possible. Fearing the town's militia nearby, the Redcoats retreated back to their ship.
Uploaded
August 31st, 2016
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Comments (6)
Marty Fancy
Great capture of this Lighthouse. Haven't seen it in person for years. We stayed in the harbor when cruising the area.
Steve Rich
Your work deserves to be showcased on the homepage of "The Meandering Photographer!" Please consider adding this work to the "Feature History, The Meandering Photographer (Aug-Sept 2023)" active discussion thread. (l/f on 9-24-2023)
Jenny Revitz Soper
Ben, what a great capture and a wonderful history! What brave girls they were! l/f for sure!