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The
barren Two Bush Island lies at the entrance to the Two Bush Channel, a
less hazardous but longer approach to West Penobscot Bay than is the nearby
Muscle Ridge Channel. Local shipping interests had petitioned the government
for many years for a lighthouse or a lightship to mark the area. Two Bush
Island Light, one of the last lighthouses built in Maine, was established
in 1897. The 42-foot high square brick tower tower, with attached fog signal
building, was equipped with a 5th Order Fresnel Lens 65 feet above sea
level. The white light with a red sector flashed every 5 seconds
distinguishing it from the continuous white light two miles to the west
at Whitehead Island Light. The first fog signal at Two Bush was a mechanical
bell that was eventually replaced by an air horn sounding a two second
blast every 20 seconds compared to Whitehead’s two blasts every 30 seconds.
The lives of two exhausted
fisherman in a small rowboat at night during a winter storm were saved
at Two Bush by the keepers. The barking of the keeper’s dog alerted the
keepers that someone was nearby.
Two Bush Light was automated
in 1964. The duplex dwelling that was the island home for the two keepers
and their families was demolished in 1970. Two Bush Island is a sea bird
nesting site. The island and the lighthouse were recently transferred to
U.S. Fish and Wildlife by virtue of the Maine Lights Program.
Thank you !
Information & photos
provided by:
David Gamage 1-30-00 |
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