Deck Extension on Keepers House

When the keepers house at Swallowtail was leased as a bed and breakfast, a wonderful cedar deck was added on the southern side with access from the house through two patio doors.  The deck was only accessible from the western side and while some people did walk up on the deck, to get to the lighthouse it was necessary to walk back around the northern side of the house.

Beginning the extension of the deck on the keepers house.

This winter while restoration work was being carried out at the keepers house and boat house, the deck railing on the eastern side was knocked over by the wind during one of our northeast gales.  Although the railing was stood back up again and secured, the next gale took the railing and shook it so violently that all the pickets and rails were taken apart and flung onto the ground.

Joining the old and new decks.

It was then that I decided that forces beyond us were giving us a message - the railing had to go and the deck extended so people could walk across the deck to the lighthouse or come back over the deck to the keepers house.  This would more closely mimic the board walks that had connected the keepers houses (both old and new) to the lighthouse.

The rock outcrop was incorporated into the deck extension.
The deck is sculpted around the rock to match the observation deck.



Bench incorporated into the deck under construction.  The deck
extension allows access to the lighthouse from the southern side of the keepers house.

 Because the ground was frozen we had to wait until the spring to build the extension.  We also needed to make it strong enough to withstand the ferocious winds so it didn't get stood on end as the old boards walks were after an October hurricane in 1963.  We skirted the side facing the north to reduce the amount of wind that could be forced under and the deck, hopefully reducing the amount of uplift and keeping the deck in place.  We incorporated a bench instead of a railing so people could enjoy the views.  Because of a rock outcropping, the deck had to narrow as it extended to the east.  To match the observation deck, the deck was sculpted around the rock.

Upended board walk after an October 1963 hurricane.

Wooden Lobster Trap Style Benches

I have always admired the wooden lobster trap style benches at the Anchorage Provincial Campground.  With funding from the Canadian Heritage Legacy Fund for ground work related to a tribute to the former light keepers, we were able to have six installed at Swallowtail.

Truck load of bench parts to be taken to Swallowtail.

Ken Ingersoll putting a lobster trap style bench together
on the deck of the keepers house.

Joe Ingersoll and Ken Ingersoll carrying a bench to the lighthouse
from the keepers house construction site.

We were able to borrow the pattern from the Anchorage and purchased the lumber to make the benches.  Some of our volunteers cut out all the components which were then carried out and built on site.  They are very heavy, which is ideal for the windy conditions at Swallowtail, but it also makes it a bigger challenge to  put them in place if they are fully constructed.

Newly construction wooden lobster style bench immediately in use.

I am not the only one who loves these benches and there have been several people ask to have one made for their own gardens.

We also have a great older bench that was donated and refurbished in the red lighthouse paint colour. This bench was owned by the former owners of the Anchorage Provincial Park, the L'Aventures. It is on the observation deck surrounding the greeting centre and is accompanied with a picnic table on loan from the Anchorage.

Donated bench on the observation deck.

Help in Unexpected Ways

Swallowtail is a beautiful location but getting things to and from the keepers house or lighthouse is always a challenge even when the tram way was functional and things were brought by boat.

Keepers buildings and lighthouse seen from Net Point.

A couple of weeks ago we needed to move some heavy items out to the keepers house from the former Ross Island boathouse because that is now our greeting centre and gift shop.  We had organized some of our volunteers to help but many of us are getting up in age although are still very active and always up to a challenge.

It just so happened that the Hampton Sea Cadets were visiting the island to go whale watching and arrived just in time to carry some items down the 54 steps across the bridge and along the trail.  Thank you!

Some of the Hampton Sea Cadets aboard the whale watching
vessel, "Elsie Menota"

One of the Sea Cadets leaders chatting with the captain of the
"Elsie Menota", Sarah McDonald.

And just to remember the light keepers motto at Swallowtail - never go empty handed, they graciously carried some items back up the steps!

The Sea Cadets taking unused insulation back - never go empty handed

The gift shop/information centre is starting to look great, thanks to many people who have been involved hiring students, organizing schedules, ordering stock and painting signs.  We have two picnic tables on loan from the Anchorage Provincial Park for the summer.

Former boat house from fish Fluke Point Lighthouse on Ross Island
moved to Swallowtail after that lighthouse was decommissioned in 1964.
It is our welcome centre and gift shop.

Four years after the almost tragic grass fire at Swallowtail.

April 1, 2007 fire as seen from my deck.

The April 1, 2007 grass fire at Swallowtail almost saw the buildings (light tower and keepers house) burned to the ground if it had not been for the fast action of the Grand Manan Volunteer Fire Department.  Their hoses just reached the keepers house but to protect the lighthouse itself, they set back fires and used sheets of plywood to keep these fires from getting out of control.  The creeping juniper burned very hotly and were just ashes afterwards.  None of the tamarcks survived.  Here is a link to some pictures taken that day that I found recently while looking for other information about Swallowtail: http://travel.webshots.com/album/558569230dFBKQw

Royal Tea a Success

The day began with a spattering of rain but it didn't damper spirits of those attending the Royal Wedding Tea. Approximately 65 came to the tea bedecked in their finery. Laura Buckley and her crew outdid themselves as usual with enough sweets and sandwiches to feed three times the people.

Portions of the Royal Wedding were played throughout the tea on a wide screen TV and while we had countesses, duchess and ladies, not many counts, dukes or lords made an appearance but those that did certainly enjoyed themselves.

The hats came in all shapes, sizes and colours and while flowers dominated, butterflies, fish, dories and resplendent fabrics made appearances. But it didn't stop with hats, fancy dresses, shoes and gloves also finished the look.

Take away packages were available and several containers of cupcakes were taken to the Grand Manan Nursing Home after the tea.

Anticipating the Royal Tea.  Tables and television set up.

Laura Buckley coordinating the layout of the buffet with
Jana, Emmy, Megan and Harley

Whale Cove Cottage crew: Laura, Megan, Jana, Emmy and Harley

Buffet layout.

Some of the people attending the tea in Covert Hall.

Hats came in all shapes, sizes and colours -
Dawn, Janie, Elaine and Ginny.

Laura, Hallie and Bessie

Mary and Sandra

Evelyn, Kaye and James

Megan, Sidney, Taylor, Annie, Harley, Haven

Emmy

During the tea with the Royal Wedding  playing in the background

Laura

Cleaning up after the tea.

Everyone went away feeling they had a wonderful afternoon and we were able to raise some money to continue the restoration work at Swallowtail.  Many thanks to Laura Buckley, Emmy, Jana and Megan Greenlaw, Harley Bass, Diane Jaillet, Fredonna Dean, Marilyn Cronk and Bryant Eaton for serving and/or cleanup;  Ken Ingersoll, Lloyd MacFarland and Bryant Eaton for setting up the tables; Clare Toyer, Cecelia Bowden, Marilyn Cronk, Diane Jaillet, Pam Cronk and Pam Charters for additional cooking. 

Back view of the Countess of Pettes Cove's hat.

Royal Tea Fund-Raiser



Old postcard of Pettes Cove with Swallowtail in the background



The media hype is abounding about the British royal wedding on April 29th and to help celebrate the wedding and raise some money for the Swallowtail restorations we are having a Royal Wedding Tea on April 30 at the Covert Hall in North Head, Grand Manan from 2-4 pm. 

Anyone wearing a fancy hat will be entered into a draw for dinner for two at the Inn at Whale Cove Cottages.  The tea is $10 and you can request a tax receipt for $5.



Come out to this fun event and support our efforts at Swallowtail.

Looking for former light keepers at Swallowtail and photos



Colourful sky behind Swallowtail Light at sunset January 3, 2011



We were successful in being awarded a grant from Heritage Canada Legacy Fund in April.  This grant is dedicated to the former lightkeepers at Swallowtail Light on Grand Manan Island and will involve returning the brass fog bell to the peninsula this summer, upgrading the trails, parking and installing a winch for the stairs. 

The one problem we have is a gap in our knowledge of all of the light keepers and assistant light keepers who have worked at Swallowtail Light.  We are also interested in getting copies of any photographs of the former keepers that can be added to the historical display we are developing.

Please let us know if you have anything that might be of help.