|
 Following,are,some
references,to the Scottish, Sutherland family. of Alexander Sutherland. b.
1805, Wick Scot., who, immig. abt. 1832,first settling, around Cobourg,
Ont., then Port Burwell, Ont. Can., and this branch of a Sutherland
family, and their association, as lighthouse keepers for generations, at
Port Burwell, Ont. Can. Letter, regarding History of the Main Light-Port
Burwell, Ontario, Canada- from B.B.S.Basarke, P., Eng; Head, Fixed Aids
Marine Aids Division On their file 8010-1510(CGAA-S)-Transport Canada
Coast Guard,Ottawa, Canada.sent too N.Kechnie,-May 18,1978.Excerpts of
this
letter, 2004 by, N.K.
HISTORY OF THE MAIN
LIGHT-------PORT BURWELL, ONTARIO
The first lighthouse at
Port Burwell, Ontario, was built by Alexander Sutherland, in the early
1800,sat his own expense, to serve his fleet of sailing vessels. The
first government-paid lightkeeper, in 1840, was of another name(unknown),
but shortly after 1843, the Sutherlands re-assumed the duties of
Lightkeeper, and five generations served in this capacity.
The 65 -ft. wooden
lighthouse stood at the end of the village's main street and the light
originally was kerosene-burning. Conversion to gas was made some time
before 1850, and to electricity in 1950.
Additional aids to
navigation were established over the years at Port Burwell(2sets of range
lights; a single light on the west breakwater, and a fog alarm).,and at
the close of navigation,1962, it was decided to discontinue the main light
and to dispose of the old lighthouse. In June,1963, the matter of
disposal of the lifhthouse and land reserve was referred to the National
Historic Sites Division, of the Department of Northern Affairs and
National Resources, in the event that their historical importance might be
deemed sufficient for that Depart.to assume responsibility.
A description of the
land reserve is as follows:
"The main light is situated
on the southeast corner of lot no.14 on the west side of Robinson St.,Port
Burwell, in the Twp. of Bayham and is in the East riding of the Co. of
Elgin, Ont. " The lighthouse reserve or lot on which a lighthouse has
stood since the year 1840 is intended to be a lot 33 feet by 33 feet
containing an area of four square rods referred to in a deed of sale from
Mahlon G. Burwell to Levi Lewis registered on 14th Oct.,1910, under the
No.16219 as having been reserved by the Crown as a lighthouse site."
Before a decision was
received from the National Historic Sires Division, the Village of Port
Burwell, in 1964, made application to take over the old light site, clean
the grounds, repair the lighthouse and restore it, as a Centennial
project. As the prime interest of the National Historic Sites Division is
to deter any efforts to demolish structures of historical value, the
Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources was in favour of
transferring the lighthouse and site to the Village of Port Burwell.
Accordingly, an Agreement (No.74649), dated Feb.23,1965, was drawn up
whereby Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada conveyed by Letters
Patent ( D.O.T. No. 75044) to the Corporation of the Village of Port
Burwell a parcel of land together with the lighthouse structure thereon at
Port Burwell, " to maintain and keep in a good condition of repair the
said land and the said lighthouse in perpetuity, as a historic site and
monument". There was no monetary consideration.
N.K. notes from Barb (nee
Sutherland) mentioned, that Jack Sutherland, had told her the Original
Alexander Sutherland, came from Scotland in the Scottish Regiment in 1812
or 1837. When it was over, they offered the soldiers land in lieu of
payment. Alexander Sutherland, first settled in Port Colburn or Port
Cobourg, then moved down to Port Burwell,Ont. Can. Alexander had a fleet
of sailing ships throughout the world. He was to have built, the
lighthouse for his own convenience, and because he owned it, was given the
title of the lighthouse. Barb mentioned, that there was a write up, in the
London Free Press (date unknown pres.)on the lighthouse, and another write
up at one time, in the St.Thomas Times Journal newspaper. N.K. 2004- over
the years, there may have been numerous write ups on the lighthouse, which
if gathered,would provide some interesting history,a future project worth
following through. N.K. recalls, a family story, of a large storm on the
Lake, in Ontario, which caused a lot of Alexander Sutherlands schooners
too sink.(There is likely, a record of that somewhere, that could be
researched).
From a newspaper
clipping-(1987-newspaper -----Journal)-Large picture,of lighthouse from
former newspaper arcticle,listed as from the 1960,s on the pg.of the 1987
arcticle, with a smaller picture of Barb Kechnie, Weldon Fanjoy and
BettyKipp,and husband, upper left corner of larger picture of whitehouse.
History Repeats-Just as
Alexander Sutherland often lit the beacon light in Port Burwell lighthouse
during his term as keeper of the light which began in 1848, some of his
descendents prepared to relight it Saturday in the restored lighthouse. in
front of the namesake of the early light house keep,Alexander Sutherland.
(Barb,Weldon,Betty,Bill)
BURWELL LIGHT SHINES
AGAIN
by Ellen Ashton-Haiste-T-J Staff Reporter
Port Burwell-The lever was
pulled and, with a pop and a puff of smoke, a beacon, not seen since 1962,
once again shone out over Lake Erie from the harbor village of Port
Burwell. Working the lever were descendents of Alexander Sutherland, one
of the early "keepers of the light" at Port Burwell.
Watching from a large tent across from the lighthouse were a few hundred
spectators including local residents and members of the Great Lakes
Lighthouse Keepers Association. The 500-member association, dedicated to
the preservation and accumulation of history of lighthouses, held its
annual meeting during the weekend in Port Burwell, which joined the
association just last year.
The lighting ceremony
Saturday marked the completion of a $54,000 restoration project for the
historic lighthouse, first built in 1840.
Original Cost
Higher
Original estimates for the complete restoration were much higher, at about
$75,000. A report on the structure by engineering firm Proctor and
Redfern Ltd.,London, Ont., recommended replacement of rotted timbers, new
concrete,foundations and possible(end of pg.cut off) But thanks to the
Amish community for providing materials and to Amish Mennonite Leroy
Eicker with the work with assistance from his family, the final cost
reduced considerably.
The work was also
subsidized by a Ministry of Citizen and Culture grant, recognizing the
heritage value of the lightouse. The lighthouse was closely associated
with the development of Port Burwell as a shipping centre in the 1830's.
Increasing maritime traffic, schooner and steamer cap,petitioned for the
erection of lighthouses in several of the Lake,s north-side ports.
In 1837, a legislative
committee recommended constructing lighthouses in several of the ports
including Burwell and Port Stanley.
The Port Burwell light was
the first provincial light on the lake, finally completed in 1840 at a
cost of $500. It was a wood-frame, 46-foot octagonal towere with a wick
oil lamp visible for several miles out. Later, natural gas was used for
the light and, in 1950,s was converted to electricity.
Provincial government plans
to remove the lighthouse in 1948 were met with determined resistance by
viligant residents, and in 1962, Port Burwell purchased the structure from
the government for $1.00. Paper,on the Opening of the Restored
Original Lighthouse,Port Burwell, June 20, 1987.written by Barbara Jean
Sutherland.
The lighthouse and the
harbour are closely interwoven with my memories of growing up in Port
Burwell. Our family has had a long association with the lighthouse. Our
Gret-grandfather and great uncles were the first Sutherlands to supervise
and attend the lighthouse. Our grandfather, the first whom I remember,
held the position for 45 years. Our dad,Jack, served for nearly 9 years.
Our brother, Jack, carried on the duties of lightkeeper for 20 years. Our
youngest brother, Ort, kept the tradition when he became assistant
lightkeeper at Port Stanley for 10 years. Our brother, Jack, lightkeeper
for 20 years, took civic responsibility seriously. He had served as a
member of the Tillsonburg School Board. As a member of the Transportation
Committee, he rode the school buses to see that they operated as cost
efficient as possible. Later,he served a term as chairman of the
Tillsonburg Board. he had served in Korean War and was, along with several
others, responsible for the Port Burwell Legion built. At, the time of his
death at 39 in 1967, Jack was reeve of the village and he would have been
very proud to have been here today. Earlier, along with Mr. Rowley, reeve
at the time, he was instrumental in having this original lighthouse saved
from the wrecker,s hammer and in having the lighthouse designated as a
historic site. Our father, Jack, light keeper,by appointment, for nearly
9 years, but lightkeeper, in fact, as he helped carry on the duties during
the last few years of his father,s long tenure of 45 years, would have
also, loved to have been here today. Our dad was Chairman of the local
school board at the time of his early death, at 46. Grandpa Sutherland
was lightkeeper for the longest period, beining 45 years, and his long
service was rewarded by the honour of receiving a King George medal for
long service. I remember the occasion very well. It was held in the west
park on the hill, known as Iroquois Park. The most memorable part of the
ceremony to me at the time, was Grandpa Sutherland rounding up all the
grandchildren there, the Fanjoy boys, Uncle Don boys and Betty, Jack and
I, to offer us each a nickel if we,d stand at the back of the crowd and
yell"That,s our Pop!" as he stepped forward to receive his medal. Needless
to say we all willingly earned our nickel.
To refer back to my opening
statement about childhood and memory. The ultimate treat I remember, was
going with Daddy to light the lighthouse light. he,d turn on the gas on
the ground floor, we,d trudge up the stairs where he,d turn on the gas,
strike the wooden sulphur match, and light the light, being very careful
not to break the asbestos mantle. Many here will remember how fragile they
were. What a view of the harbour from the top.! In December the outer
breakwalls were shrouded in ice. In summer, The Ashtabula, the Columbia
and the Ben.E.Taitand other large ships entering the harbour were much
more impressive from the top of the lighthouse than from the pier. As,
anyone my age will remember the Ben E.Tait and her captain were very
popular with the young set. The captain would come to Nidel Ives and treat
all the local kids to an ice cream cone. The first kid to spot the Ben E.
coming in would spread the word, and we,d all assemble at ives and the
Captain didn,t disappoint us. The harbour at this time was dredged
annually to a depth of 30 feet to accomadate these large coal carriers.
As well, I remember when
the hydro was off, Dad had to crank the auxiliary fog-horn, by hand, of
course, until either the fog lifted or the power returned to run the
elctric fog-horn. The outer pier lights were run by gas that came in large
cylinders. Many a stormy sea had to be bucked in the white lifeboat, that
usually rested on the pier by the lighthouse, to ensure the lights would
flash their message aross the water to ships at sea.
Dad kept the lights burning
past the mandatory closing date of December 15 and began the next season
before the offical opening date of March 15 so that fishermen might use
the port in safety. One memoralbe early spring when I was in my early
teens, the wind cleared the ice from the harbour and the lake appeared
ice-free to the horizon, as I remember. The fishing tugs went out to get
an early start. The wind shifted and the ice was blown shoreward. All the
tugs but one mad it safely home. The days stretched onward with no sign of
that one tug. Ceil Martin, Captain, along with his father and, I believe,
one other crew member were out there somewhere but no one knew whether the
tug was crushed by the ice or if they were safe. The telegraph wires
hummed. Reporters came from the Toronto papers. Port Burwell,s drama was
on every newscast on the radio. I saw my first airplane at the time,
that being the one sent out too search. I beleive it was the first time an
aircraft was used on Lake rie for search and rescue. Finally, after many
days, without foood or heat the tug was located and supplies were dropped.
Will any of us who lived here then, ever forget the prayers, the worry and
the excitement of the safe return of Cecil Martin,s tug?
There was tragedy, too. A
few years later, I was cleaning the front windows of William,s, now
Stephenson,s store on a bright sunny afternoon. I paused to watch a fish
tug coming homeward. Suddenly it blew up. Two young fishermen, Bud Smith
and LeRoy Walker lost their lives; the Captain, although badly burned,
survived.
On behalf of the Sutherland
family, I'd like to thank Mr.Varty and the others whom I understand were
responsible for this lighthouse restoration.
In closing, may I say that,
yes, we lighthouse Sutherlands, are proud of our roots and neve forget our
heritage in Port Burwell. Any childhood friends know, how as children, we
watched for any sign of fog or a large ship coming in. We would hightail
it for home to alert our Dad. He, usually beat us to it, for as we panted
up the beach hill, we,d hear the bawling of the fog-horn, locally known
as,"Sutherland,s calf."
Thankyou.
Given by: Barbara Sutherland Kechnie
I saw your site, asking for
contributions, regarding, Scottish, Canadians, and felt that the
Sutherland family, might be of interest to others. This information, is
some history, which I collected to add, to family history, hopeing it will
be of interest, Nancy Kechnie email, at :
rich_lgo@msn.com.
See
http://www.pt-burwell-lighthouse.ca/ |
