In the 1990's I was lucky enough to fill in for an assistant light keeper for a week on Machias Seal Island, (disputed territory, USA and Canada). Since I was not familiar with the machinery, my only duty was to make 2 radio weather report broadcasts /day. It was a very unique and memorable experience. I enjoyed it a lot.
I often have to spend a few days alone fixing communication equipment on islands in my country. One of the few things I cant wait for to happen....shame its only a few times a year.
@@DANGERGOUGH being alone isnt bad. You will never learn to be alive until you learn to live yourself, alone. Then you can appreciate the other great things of life... Trust me. You dont need to go 5 years away from civilization. Try going to some place in your country, with no people, no cellphone, no nothing; where you gotta plan your food, drink...everything. Stay like that for just a week and you will know that being alone is actually one of the BEST things you can do. Try it.
Computers cant scrape paint, make repairs, make visual observations, they cant re-paint anything, they wont care at all about anything and they have no soul. You guys were the greatest, gave dreams and lent your dreams to many men, you have souls and those souls are created for things like responsibilities, sacrifice, solitude's, invention, bravery, and service to a nation and also a cause- Maritime Safety and many would never forget you. I would give anything for a ship in a bottle assembled by a Lighthouse Keeper while stationed at sea. God Bless you and thanks for these documentaries.
Greatest? Do nothing much all day is the greatest? The person collecting garbage has far more important role in the world compared with some lighthouse chair warmers.
Ah Pendine in St just, spent almost a year there installing equipment I had built the year (1970/71) before at TH Blackwall point. All 3 keepers and family watched as I attempted to dig a trench in Blue Elvin granite to the fog emitter house, how they laughed! Great times happy memories.
What a wonderful video insight Lindsay. I have been watching the also wonderful videos of a shipmate ( keeper) , Peter Halil. It is all fantastic footage of our British maritime history that should never be forgotten. It does really sadden me the way automation has destroyed many way of life’s, & in particular, the way man was taught to look after his equipment of the job. I find it very sad, but thankfully, to you guys, you have caught what is (and mine), a job that I have dreamt about...probably more romantically judging by the endless work involved. For me, solitude & inclement weather do it for me...so hats off to all you gentlemen, god bless & thank you for a wonderful video, Simon.
I'm lucky enough to live in Pendeen and have been in the light house on a few tours. It was amazing and the light used to shine in my bedroom at night. The lense used to spin on a tonne of mercury. The fog horn was the loudest thing I've ever heard. Used to go right underneath it when it was going off. A bit stupid I guess, but you could feel your insides vibrating. Amazing times, such a shame that it's all automated now.
24:19 In an era of health and safety. Getting transferred from small boat to lighthouse “make sure your peaked service cap is placed at the correct Trinity House jaunty angle”. What a man we shall not see their like again
"Replaced by a microchip" summed it up. Very sad and it's a lifestyle gone forever now. The Wolf Rock keeper whose hobby was CB radio made me smile though as i was up to the same in the late 70's.....but we were forever dodging and outrunning the DTi guy who used to chase us around in a van. I don't think they'd bother with a CB user on Wolf Rock though!!!
Fascinating documentary! Sending appreciation to those who made and published this. And to the courageous people down through history who have manned these life-saving towers. I came here by way of accidentally happening upon the story of the Stevensons.
I'll have a read after you, when you're finished. I liked the diagram of the lighthouse, as if the outer wall was missing, showing the spiral staircase, & the different levels, not forgetting the machinery that rotated the lamp & sounded the fog horn. Their written records were very detailed.
I applied back in the mid 70s living in the Orkney Isles, even then they said no because of automation. . . then years later I was working for central government, in london the performing arts, back stage. . the union they put me in was the light house union. . . lol
Agreed, as a new lighthouse keeper myself, I am eager to see what the more hardened months are like. There are many stations where there is a certain level of danger being a keeper and I can only hope that one day I get to experience such a station.
I know I'm watching this on my phone but I'll be 51 soon and I have absolutely no doubt that technology is not the answer and I'm seeing such a difference in humanity and it's not a good thing... We are loosing so much of who we are and what we can do to computers and each generation is worse than the last. I think this is just another example of humans losing their identity.. God help Us.. I hate what we are becoming as a race.
I’m sure these gentlemen hated their work at times. I don’t know if I could’ve made this a career, but I’d definitely give it a shot for a month. It would be nice to get away from society and clear your head every once in awhile.
What happens when huge waves slam a lighthouse? Is it very loud, does the lighthouse shudder and shake? What keeps the lighthouse from getting slammed down?
Great stuff! Always wondered what is the benefit of fog horns in the era of motorized vessels? The bigger boats certainly have radars, GPSes. What is the scenario for horn to save the (gray) day?
I was a boiler tender for 11 years its kind of similar in one way working by myself but only for 8 hours a day and then you Go home and start all over again the next day I think I could have worked in a light house
Given how kids these days are use to being isolated due to spending hours on the internet playing games and surfing the web, most of them would probably like living/working in a lighthouse. Just connect the lighthouse with the new long range wifi with ranges over 180 miles, stock up on frozen food and Doritos, a microwave, and let the games begin...
Sólo es necesario amar la mar sus faros y disfrutar con esa vida nada aburrida, sí enriquecedora. Quienes tuvimos la suerte de disfrutar muchos años de la vida en un faro, jamás la cambiaríamos por otro modo de vida.
CREEPY LIFE STYLE, THE SEA IS SO ERIE AND TO LIVE IN A LIGHT HOUSE SURROUNDED BY WATER, AND SOME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN IS RIGHT DOWN STUPID. MANY A KEEPER HAS GONE MAD COMMITTING MURDER AND SUICIDE! YOU CAN HAVE IT, I'LL TKAE MY CHANCES ON LAND!
Creo se equivoca. En otros lugares cometen eso que Vd. cuenta. Cinco generaciones ejerciendo ese digno e increíble trabajo y no sé de ninguno que enloqueciese y menos asesinase. Al contrario, fueron personas que ayudaron en naufragios, sabías por tiempo para lectura o escribir, tranquilas y perfectos "anfitriones" con familia y amistades que también amaban los faros.
In the 1990's I was lucky enough to fill in for an assistant light keeper for a week on Machias Seal Island, (disputed territory, USA and Canada). Since I was not familiar with the machinery, my only duty was to make 2 radio weather report broadcasts /day. It was a very unique and memorable experience. I enjoyed it a lot.
I wasn’t aware that we had a land dispute with the USA
This men are very fortunate to have lived this lived this life. Im very envious.
Nick Hahn yes
Nick Hahn ballz on your chin
Definitely..
Me too
I agree
job for a man who is alone but not lonely
I’m a person who is alone and there are no words to describe the feeling of looking out into the sea.
This is the best job I could ever imagine
I often have to spend a few days alone fixing communication equipment on islands in my country. One of the few things I cant wait for to happen....shame its only a few times a year.
you are never alone you have for the first time in history the ability to reach out to people
@@DANGERGOUGH being alone isnt bad. You will never learn to be alive until you learn to live yourself, alone. Then you can appreciate the other great things of life...
Trust me. You dont need to go 5 years away from civilization. Try going to some place in your country, with no people, no cellphone, no nothing; where you gotta plan your food, drink...everything.
Stay like that for just a week and you will know that being alone is actually one of the BEST things you can do. Try it.
Computers cant scrape paint, make repairs, make visual observations, they cant re-paint anything, they wont care at all about anything and they have no soul. You guys were the greatest, gave dreams and lent your dreams to many men, you have souls and those souls are created for things like responsibilities, sacrifice, solitude's, invention, bravery, and service to a nation and also a cause- Maritime Safety and many would never forget you. I would give anything for a ship in a bottle assembled by a Lighthouse Keeper while stationed at sea. God Bless you and thanks for these documentaries.
greatest? they sit on their ass all day
Greatest?
Do nothing much all day is the greatest?
The person collecting garbage has far more important role in the world compared with some lighthouse chair warmers.
That's a little too much there champ.
Nuovo Bleppmore Cleaning Fresnel lenses is not sitting on the ass, and the computer does not clean the lenses...
Ah Pendine in St just, spent almost a year there installing equipment I had built the year (1970/71) before at TH Blackwall point. All 3 keepers and family watched as I attempted to dig a trench in Blue Elvin granite to the fog emitter house, how they laughed! Great times happy memories.
B ernie ! Pendeen babe
Many moons ago i worked as a lighthouse keeper in Preston from 1952 to 1955/56 and have to admit it was a tough job but a fun and unique one too
That’s how I feel about my time as a firefighter
Tell us more
I keep coming back to this. Thanks so much Lindsay .
What a wonderful video insight Lindsay. I have been watching the also wonderful videos of a shipmate ( keeper) , Peter Halil. It is all fantastic footage of our British maritime history that should never be forgotten. It does really sadden me the way automation has destroyed many way of life’s, & in particular, the way man was taught to look after his equipment of the job. I find it very sad, but thankfully, to you guys, you have caught what is (and mine), a job that I have dreamt about...probably more romantically judging by the endless work involved. For me, solitude & inclement weather do it for me...so hats off to all you gentlemen, god bless & thank you for a wonderful video, Simon.
You have to be a special breed of a human being to do this job. These men are quite remarkable and resilient. They have my upmost respect.
I'm lucky enough to live in Pendeen and have been in the light house on a few tours. It was amazing and the light used to shine in my bedroom at night.
The lense used to spin on a tonne of mercury.
The fog horn was the loudest thing I've ever heard. Used to go right underneath it when it was going off. A bit stupid I guess, but you could feel your insides vibrating.
Amazing times, such a shame that it's all automated now.
24:19 In an era of health and safety. Getting transferred from small boat to lighthouse “make sure your peaked service cap is placed at the correct Trinity House jaunty angle”. What a man we shall not see their like again
The woodsmen & fishermen of the American & canadian west are.
Touching to see them tell their stories. Also the one guy seemed so happy hearing the fog horn. Something really is lost with automation.
That was such a wonderful thing to watch. Thank you
Thanks, beautiful and very informative.They are in a way a form of art.A light in the darkness.
Would love it...lighthouses are so majestic
Simply brilliant video, well worth seeing
I love listening to Bill ( Pendeen ) he an his lovely wife Di! Two of the nicest most genuine people you’d ever care to meet
"Replaced by a microchip" summed it up. Very sad and it's a lifestyle gone forever now. The Wolf Rock keeper whose hobby was CB radio made me smile though as i was up to the same in the late 70's.....but we were forever dodging and outrunning the DTi guy who used to chase us around in a van. I don't think they'd bother with a CB user on Wolf Rock though!!!
Fascinating documentary! Sending appreciation to those who made and published this. And to the courageous people down through history who have manned these life-saving towers. I came here by way of accidentally happening upon the story of the Stevensons.
I would love to read these log journals, and the scrap books.
I'll have a read after you, when you're finished. I liked the diagram of the lighthouse, as if the outer wall was missing, showing the spiral staircase, & the different levels, not forgetting the machinery that rotated the lamp & sounded the fog horn. Their written records were very detailed.
Thanks for the great upload.
I visited Cornwall in 1995 went to The Lizard lighthouse and met the last keeper. What a shame they automated them .
I applied back in the mid 70s living in the Orkney Isles, even then they said no because of automation. . . then years later I was working for central government, in london the performing arts, back stage. . the union they put me in was the light house union. . . lol
Oh to have had the chance just once to experience life in a lighthouse during the worst of nature.....
Agreed, as a new lighthouse keeper myself, I am eager to see what the more hardened months are like. There are many stations where there is a certain level of danger being a keeper and I can only hope that one day I get to experience such a station.
Very interesting to hear the stories of these very articulate gentlemen
Today all you hear is…,
“Like…”
”Ummmmm…”
“Ya know what I mean”
…all interspersed with unfinished sentences.
@@mercoidyou were young once too man. Don’t be that guy
A memorandum of the end of the Industrial Age.
If there is no more industry who is building computers, cars, and everything now?
apprenticeship for lighthouse keeper lasts six years.
Sweeping up buckets of mercury?? I had no idea the job was that hazardous.
I know I'm watching this on my phone but I'll be 51 soon and I have absolutely no doubt that technology is not the answer and I'm seeing such a difference in humanity and it's not a good thing... We are loosing so much of who we are and what we can do to computers and each generation is worse than the last.
I think this is just another example of humans losing their identity.. God help Us.. I hate what we are becoming as a race.
So agree
I’m sure these gentlemen hated their work at times. I don’t know if I could’ve made this a career, but I’d definitely give it a shot for a month. It would be nice to get away from society and clear your head every once in awhile.
What happens when huge waves slam a lighthouse? Is it very loud, does the lighthouse shudder and shake? What keeps the lighthouse from getting slammed down?
its built to withstand any and all waves. thats why the actual light is so high up
Is there still any lighthouse keepers working now?
great video, thankyou
I totally agree it is very sacred also a lot like the watch towers in the forest in Arkansas I always wanted that job too
Great stuff!
Always wondered what is the benefit of fog horns in the era of motorized vessels?
The bigger boats certainly have radars, GPSes.
What is the scenario for horn to save the (gray) day?
I would love a copy of that scrapbook.
A lifetime of solitude and reading would be a very good life.
LOVE the foghorn
I would love it lighthouses are my dream
Another question:
If Wolf Rock is a single rock, would it have been easier just to explode the lava rock with the WWII surplus bombs..?
Wolf rock looks like one hell of an experience... 2.5 years?!?!
automation sometimes doesnt result in a net gain for society as a whole
Great band
I was a boiler tender for 11 years its kind of similar in one way working by myself but only for 8 hours a day and then you Go home and start all over again the next day I think I could have worked in a light house
can't imagine what it's like Being a keeper and the sacrifices they made.
sacrifices? are you reading any of these comments? these men love being by themselves
People always forget that the world resets itself eventually these keepers will be prevalent again
Hello all.
I was wondering.
Why did some lighthouses have curtains?
Mercury related?
0:11 I’m pretty sure these exact shots were in Egger’s movie
That mercury spill story could be the most interesting thing I've ever heard.
I’m here after watching The Lighthouse and ain’t no way 😂
Given how kids these days are use to being isolated due to spending hours on the internet playing games and surfing the web, most of them would probably like living/working in a lighthouse. Just connect the lighthouse with the new long range wifi with ranges over 180 miles, stock up on frozen food and Doritos, a microwave, and let the games begin...
badweetabix lol
I'm a man and accustomed to solitude and being a lighthouse keeper would suit me. :)
They have to be responsible people too ..
20:51 Timberland sweater straight drippin’ 🔥
Wonderful documentary.👍
Nice video Stephen Rogers ex DLF Penzance
One job I would love to have, working in a lighthouse
A GREAT Video, thanks. It's all very well going automated - but who makes the brews? ;o)
Just fascinating...
That would be an awesome job!!
Automation turns your brains to mush, long live the working man.
Living in a giant candle winking at god
What a great job - on your own almost with your dog. Awesome. Get some chicks over weekly and happy days 👍
Baz Hahaha could you get girls shipped to your Lighthouse, nothing like having some crumpet in your bunk aye?
Drone Wild maybe he meant chicks as in the bird, people have strange tastes in what they shag
The man actually took to counting the items in his room. I'm out!
Watching this I have such respect for the lighthouse keepers and I'm saddened that yet another learned job has succumb to digitalisation.
Brilliant
18:57 Crazy!!
Einstein said it was a job he'd like.
Einstein didn't kill himself.
Old is GOLD
But lighthouse is immortal and it's function can't be diminished......
Todos son hermosos edificios centenarios. Merecen un final digno y no acaben como "hotelitos con encanto"...😢
The same thing will happen to truck drivers very soon (
8:39 frightened the living daylights out of me
Me too.that was loud as hell.
2024 commenting for the Algo
These people are as rare as bell ringers have now become...
Well done Government, well done. Tossers.
Page 71+2
6: what when where which who why
1: how
1: that
Simple, primary type of incorporation: 8
Simple, transfered type of incorporation: 1
1: if
If Alan Partridge were a lighthouse keeper.
Ah ha!
Nice
Why dya spill your beans....
you have to be a good swimmer an learn to talk to your self"😮
Haunted secret cellers hiding the juice
Brave men I’d say
Sólo es necesario amar la mar sus faros y disfrutar con esa vida nada aburrida, sí enriquecedora. Quienes tuvimos la suerte de disfrutar muchos años de la vida en un faro, jamás la cambiaríamos por otro modo de vida.
No es necesario ser valientes, sólo amar esa profesión, la mar y sus faros
6:06 The Smalls Lighthouse Tragedy
😁👍👏👏👏
In mind you know automation will be the best, but you know automation will kill all wat’s in your mind
Um...why is this put in the category of gaming??
Automate it, most easy.
Less talking and more of showing how lighthouse works.
Lighthouse keepers need to learn organization skills.. sheesh
Yetore jobs gone courtesy of damn technology
.
CREEPY LIFE STYLE, THE SEA IS SO ERIE AND TO LIVE IN A LIGHT HOUSE SURROUNDED BY WATER, AND SOME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN IS RIGHT DOWN STUPID. MANY A KEEPER HAS GONE MAD COMMITTING MURDER AND SUICIDE! YOU CAN HAVE IT, I'LL TKAE MY CHANCES ON LAND!
Creo se equivoca. En otros lugares cometen eso que Vd. cuenta.
Cinco generaciones ejerciendo ese digno e increíble trabajo y no sé de ninguno que enloqueciese y menos asesinase. Al contrario, fueron personas que ayudaron en naufragios, sabías por tiempo para lectura o escribir, tranquilas y perfectos "anfitriones" con familia y amistades que también amaban los faros.
The loneliest and most boring job in the world ?
SOUNDS like the job for me
Me too!
nyhammer1 nyhammer1 I don't think so. It requires people with a strong sense of independence and resilience.
Certainly not boring
Were Lighthouse keepers like men in the Navy? All gay and playing with each other’s rusty sheriffs badge?