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