29

location that was to cause at least partially the groundings

of The Quebec and the Phoenix.149 Alexander R. Beaton was the

'1 "‘.’\ .z. Du 8‘" .

first lighthouse keep 1 This was a political appointment. The lighthouse was located on the Eastern extreme ty of his farm.

The lighthouse was moved after the loss of the Phoenix. Bernard Creamer of South Lake, and later of Souris, did this as his first contract on the Island. The lighthouse was run by steam. A fog alarm was also built in 1885. It was double fit— ted and the whistle could be heard for sixteen miles. The light which was white and revolving was visible for seventeen miles out

151

to sea. A description of the light at that time stated that it

had a clean and well kept tower, "the brightest of which did cre—

152 In

dit to the Keeper, Mr. Burge" (assistant to Mr. Beaton). 1897, Hon. Lauchlan MacDonald became lighthouse keeper.155 He was a political appointment as well. In 1908, the lighthouse had to be moved back two hundred feet because of erosion. A new fog alarm building was constructed at the same time where the light had stood. The old fog alarm building was moved back to be used as a storehouse.154 In 1917, the steam driven machinery in the fog alarm was replaced by motor driven compressed air equipment. The lighthouse was then converted from steam to gas.155 Lauchlan's job was then taken over by Angus MacIntyre, Stewart's father — Stewart took over his duties in 1926 and has

been followed by his nephew Harry Harris when he retired in 1962.156