Daily Duties of a Keeper......
? Hand carry fuel up to the lantern room and fueling the lamp.
? Trimming the wicks (later, replacing the mantles and pumping up the oil vaporizer).
? Regularly cleaning and polishing (with jeweler's rouge and whiting) the glass chimney, lenses and windows.
? Polishing vast amounts of brass fittings and tools.
? Cranking up the weight, latching it, and letting it free when lighting the lamp at night.
? Lighting and extinguishing the lamp (it was wasteful and unnecessary to burn it by day).
? Monitoring the light and nearby shipping at night.
? Closing the lantern room curtains by day to prevent damage from magnified sunlight through the lens, and discoloration of the lens glass.
? Cleaning and lubricating the clockwork.
? Painting the structure.
? Routine maintenance and repairs of all buildings.
? Greeting and sometimes lodging visitors and inspectors.
? Writing reports, keeping records, and ordering supplies.
Keepers at Fort Gratiot
From 1829 to 1940 there were 19 keepers at the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse. In 1870, the Lighthouse Service authorized the position of assistant keeper due to increased responsibilities. In 1873, the Keepers Duplex was built to house the keeper, an assistant keeper and their families. In 1932, another keepers dwelling (the smaller house south of the Duplex) was built.
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