Narraguagus Update #2

  The second part of our Narraguagus Light lantern project centered around getting the glass to the lighthouse and installing it. Four crates weighing roughly 85lbs filled with fragile glass carried across an island that could break anything it wanted.  The mosquitos had grown bigger since our first trip out and probably have helped us carry the crates, but were too focused on lunch.     

      Once the glass arrived at it’s destination, the hardest part was done. Now just pull it up the side of the tower by hand and rope, and set it between a metal frame and metal stops without breaking any. With a little luck on our side we were able to install it all, the glass, the stops, some of which we had to replace and the bolts, all without too much issue. We re-caulked the glass and did the final coat of all the paints and coatings. 

       Narraguagus Light was by far the biggest challenge we've had working on lighthouses. I also think it's safe to say this was some of our best work and going forward it will be the job that all other jobs are measured against.  

        A ship doesn't sail without a crew and Dunnybrook Co has the best crew around. Without you guys, this job would not have been possible. Here's to our next adventure.

Narraguagus Update #1

Narraguagus Light Station, on Pond Island, off the coast of Milbridge, Maine was established in 1853. It was decommissioned in 1934 by the US  Coast Guard and sold at auction to a private family who have taken care of it through 3 generations. 

     As time catches up to us all, so it has for this great Maine Coast landmark.  Dunnybrook Co has been hired to stabilize and restore the interior and exterior of the lantern. 

       A 4 hour drive from home, carrying equipment, materials and supplies from the truck to the lobster boat we hired, the ride to the island, where we transferred everything to a skiff to get us to shore, where we then walked it all up the beach and loaded it onto a gator and trailer, which mercifully took some work off our shoulders and brought us to the starting point of the real adventure. We put all our belongings on a fields edge, where we took our first of many trips, carrying everything by hand on what’s best described as a 700-800 yard goat path over rocks, roots, mudholes and through mosquito  infested woods. We finally reached our destination. We stay over night in the keepers house with no electricity and no running water. But if its good enough for the bats that live in there, well then its good enough for us. 

    Out of the 22 lighthouses that I have worked on, 10 with our 3 man Dunnybrook crew, this is by far not only the most challenging, but also the one most in need of attention. 

    We removed what broken glass was left, took off the old glass stops, ground all the loose rust off, top to bottom, inside and out. Every inch will be primed and painted two coats and every one of the 120 bolts holding the glass stops on had to be drilled out a re-tapped for new hardware. 

   Be sure to check back in to see how we did on the second part of our adventure, where we bring the new glass to the island, by truck, boat, gator and trail to be installed in what has definitely been our greatest challenge to date. 

      This job would not be possible without the adventurous spirit and stubborn will of the Dunnybrook Co Crew. 

Next Stop - Narraguagus

The crew will be working on the lighthouse at Narraguagus starting next week. This island has no power or running water so we will be basically camping out for the duration of this project. It will be a challenge but we are up for it! Check back for updates.

Check back soon!

Check back here soon for project pictures, updates and other cool content!