Elbow Cay Lighthouse

Joe and Sandy off NorthWind advised us to visit the lighthouse at dusk when the light keeper arrives. The lighthouse on Elbow Cay in Hopetown is one of just three remaining which still has a kerosene lamp and is manually powered. We arrived about an hour before sunset to spend time at the top and enjoy the view. We pretty much had the lighthouse to ourselves. We enjoyed a spectacular sunset and then shortly after the light keeper arrived. He answered all of our questions and invited us to the upper part of the light around the Fresnel lenses to watch him. This area is not normally open to the public. He has been a light keeper for 36 years. It takes two light keepers, each working a six hour shift. The lighthouse burns two gallons of kerosene each night. The weights need to be wound back to the top every two hours. First he removed a heavy canvas curtain which protects the lenses from the sunlight. This is to prevent reflection of the sunlight off the lenses, We then watched as he prepared and lit the mantel. He then slowly cranked the weight back to the top and the lenses began their steady rotation. This light is set up with five beams and then a long pause. We asked about working in hurricanes and yes he has kept the light going even through hurricanes. We both have a great interest in lighthouses so this was such a special treat. Luckily here there are not all sorts of regulations and rules preventing an up close and personal look at the inter workings of this very special lighthouse.