the last lighthouse keepers (2005)

[@ArchFundy]

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.

[@douglasharris5216]

I wasn’t aware that we had a land dispute with the USA

[@tibchy144]

job for a man who is alone but not lonely

[@DemocracyDiesInDarkness]

Touching to see them tell their stories. Also the one guy seemed so happy hearing the fog horn. Something really is lost with automation.

[@nickhahn5412]

This men are very fortunate to have lived this lived this life. Im very envious.

[@shirleycole7854]

Nick Hahn yes

[@mrs.chandler9384]

Nick Hahn ballz on your chin

[@DTA-me3kv]

Definitely..

[@Pumpkinshire]

Me too

[@kumanaz2765]

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

[@josef5319]

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]

you are never alone you have for the first time in history the ability to reach out to people

[@josef5319]

@@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.

[@SIONARAFLORIDA]

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.

[@newbleppmore7855]

greatest? they sit on their ass all day

[@erikjohansson1814]

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.

[@flamethrowercandle2354]

That's a little too much there champ.

[@girolamobosco2825]

Nuovo Bleppmore Cleaning Fresnel lenses is not sitting on the ass, and the computer does not clean the lenses...

[@DRchilton]

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.

[@jacobmassey3897]

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

[@infjintegrityvsnarcissism7295]

That’s how I feel about my time as a firefighter

[@bernie2108]

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.

[@tonyrobins1137]

B ernie ! Pendeen babe

[@thewelshwanderer5006]

One job I would love to have, working in a lighthouse

[@eloise1713]

I visited Cornwall in 1995 went to The Lizard lighthouse and met the last keeper. What a shame they automated them .

[@davidcrooks1752]

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

[@elonmust7470]

The woodsmen & fishermen of the American & canadian west are.

[@chocolatejellybean2820]

can't imagine what it's like Being a keeper and the sacrifices they made.

[@rogerwilco2]

A memorandum of the end of the Industrial Age.

[@tonyrobins2443]

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

[@joshwallin4804]

Wow he didn't even blink when the horn went off. Even if you know it's coming that's not easy.

[@Bulletguy07]

"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!!!

[@srpdesigns]

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.

[@eloise1713]

So agree

[@Zippsters]

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.

[@Methadone4Life]

Would love it...lighthouses are so majestic

[@prashantkumar-wk2tu]

Old is GOLD

[@esildacollazo4470]

Thanks, beautiful and very informative.They are in a way a form of art.A light in the darkness.

[@dashaB-sl4pu]

Simply brilliant video, well worth seeing

[@simonmakinson]

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.

[@paulgraystone4919]

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

[@boscentvisman2034]

Living in a giant candle winking at god

[@johnmurray3956]

Oh to have had the chance just once to experience life in a lighthouse during the worst of nature.....

[@BCLighthouseKeeper]

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.

[@jamiejack764]

Very interesting to hear the stories of these very articulate gentlemen

[@mercoid]

Today all you hear is…, “Like…” ”Ummmmm…” “Ya know what I mean” …all interspersed with unfinished sentences.

[@fazergazer]

I would love to read these log journals, and the scrap books.

[@HookBeak_66]

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.

[@lrawlings3911]

I keep coming back to this. Thanks so much Lindsay .

[@shirleycole7854]

I would love it lighthouses are my dream

[@Methadone4Life]

Thanks for the great upload.

[@frankstain9791]

apprenticeship for lighthouse keeper lasts six years.

[@servicarrider]

A lifetime of solitude and reading would be a very good life.

[@Nylorac.Nruboc]

Sweeping up buckets of mercury?? I had no idea the job was that hazardous.

[@alisonlee3314]

LOVE the foghorn

[@krisbrake5901]

great video, thankyou

[@hollyhock9638]

People always forget that the world resets itself eventually these keepers will be prevalent again

[@SJM6791]

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.

[@mottthehoople693]

automation sometimes doesnt result in a net gain for society as a whole

[@josephkent3238]

Great band

[@Utubin]

Wonderful documentary.👍

[@patriciarussell1177]

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

[@paulcowell7588]

Just fascinating...

[@libelle8124]

Watching this I have such respect for the lighthouse keepers and I'm saddened that yet another learned job has succumb to digitalisation.

[@badweetabix]

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...

[@LondonSambaDancerBellydancer]

badweetabix lol

[@michaelberry3862]

I'm a man and accustomed to solitude and being a lighthouse keeper would suit me. :)

[@junii741]

They have to be responsible people too ..

[@johnmcdyer7297]

Brilliant

[@The.Messenger.2832]

I would love a copy of that scrapbook.

[@woden20]

Automation turns your brains to mush, long live the working man.

[@TempoDrift1480]

That mercury spill story could be the most interesting thing I've ever heard.

[@subratasadhukhan7471]

But lighthouse is immortal and it's function can't be diminished......

[@angelaalb.9284]

Todos son hermosos edificios centenarios. Merecen un final digno y no acaben como "hotelitos con encanto"...😢

[@isacchris1]

That would be an awesome job!!

[@pelimies1818]

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?

[@rogers3158]

Nice video Stephen Rogers ex DLF Penzance

[@LondonSambaDancerBellydancer]

The man actually took to counting the items in his room. I'm out!

[@skelejp9982]

Hello all. I was wondering. Why did some lighthouses have curtains? Mercury related?

[@Methadone4Life]

18:57 Crazy!!

[@neostormOCREMIX]

The same thing will happen to truck drivers very soon (

[@paxwallacejazz]

Einstein said it was a job he'd like.

[@flamethrowercandle2354]

Einstein didn't kill himself.

[@pelimies1818]

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..?

[@thelolguy007]

What a great job - on your own almost with your dog. Awesome. Get some chicks over weekly and happy days 👍

[@dronewild3234]

Baz Hahaha could you get girls shipped to your Lighthouse, nothing like having some crumpet in your bunk aye?

[@douglasharris5216]

Drone Wild maybe he meant chicks as in the bird, people have strange tastes in what they shag

[@davidbutler4363]

😁👍👏👏👏

[@terrymoney9718]

Yetore jobs gone courtesy of damn technology

[@frankiebella5745]

you have to be a good swimmer an learn to talk to your self"😮

[@eloise1713]

Brave men I’d say

[@angelaalb.9284]

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.

[@angelaalb.9284]

No es necesario ser valientes, sólo amar esa profesión, la mar y sus faros

[@TeamAcXa]

Why dya spill your beans....

[@MegaSnippezz]

8:39 frightened the living daylights out of me

[@pyromaniac354]

Me too.that was loud as hell.

[@jackharrison6771]

A GREAT Video, thanks. It's all very well going automated - but who makes the brews? ;o)

[@LondonSambaDancerBellydancer]

If Alan Partridge were a lighthouse keeper.

[@jbradshaw4236]

Ah ha!

[@nurlatifahmohdnor8939]

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

[@erikjohansson1814]

Automate it, most easy.

[@tacopizza493]

Um...why is this put in the category of gaming??

[@Ron-hj1or]

In mind you know automation will be the best, but you know automation will kill all wat’s in your mind

[@Happyheart146]

These people are as rare as bell ringers have now become... Well done Government, well done. Tossers.

[@jbweld6193]

Lighthouse keepers need to learn organization skills.. sheesh

[@dampri3182]

.

[@Kitty-lq5jd]

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!

[@angelaalb.9284]

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.

[@nyhammer1]

The loneliest and most boring job in the world ?

[@veterannz]

SOUNDS like the job for me

[@echothehusky]

Me too!

[@g13flat]

nyhammer1 nyhammer1 I don't think so. It requires people with a strong sense of independence and resilience.

[@eloise1713]

Certainly not boring

[@dronewild3234]

Were Lighthouse keepers like men in the Navy? All gay and playing with each other’s rusty sheriffs badge?