We are pleased to have a wide range of interpretation panels now installed at Swallow Tail for our visitors. Through funding from the Canadian Heritage Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Legacy Fund, we were able to add outdoor interpretive panels for self-guided tours year round. We also have some wonderful hand painted signs for directions and other information. A memorial plaque was installed in 2011 to mark the 75th anniversary of the tragic death of one of the light keepers, Elodie Ingalls Foster.
New sign welcoming visitors to Swallow Tail. The Welcome Centre is also a gift shop. The deck affords lovely views and has one of several picnic tables in this area.
The new signs include a Welcome to Swallow Tail and site map. The spelling of Swallow Tail has varied over the years and we have opted for the older spelling in our signs, where the name more accurately refers to the origins of the name referring to the shape of the peninsula, reminiscent of a swallow’s tail with the curve of the wings in the surrounding coves. The site map positions Swallow Tail in relationship to Grand Manan and the Bay of Fundy and local points of interest. A sign post near the boat house also compliments this information, pointing to various areas, including distance in some cases, that can be seen from Swallow Tail.
Site sign for Swallow Tail located near the stairs. The new safety railing can be seen in the background which defines another picnic area and seating.
All of the buildings have a sign that includes a brief history of the structure. In addition, there is information about the fog bell. Various types of fishing can be seen at different times of the year from Swallow Tail and a panel describes some of these. The new floating weir has been a topic of conversation and there is a separate post about it. Many types of marine life can be seen as well and these are illustrated on another panel. Geology of the area is also described including the large mafic dike that the footbridge straddles. Grand Manan has the great opportunity for people to have one foot on rock over 200 million years of age (MYA) and also one foot on rock over 500 MYA. Finally there is a bit of a discussion about the weather conditions, what it does to the vegetation and why it is more evident at Swallow Tail.
Many of the signs are clustered around the keepers buildings where people pause and take in the information. Each building also has a short description of its history.
The fog bell has its own interpretative sign giving its history.
The geology panel is near the footbridge, appropriately attached to one of the large rock outcrops.
Memorial panel and the history of the lighthouse are located near the entrance to the tower.
People enjoying the view sitting beside the sign post near the boat house.
While the site is beautiful and extremely awe-inspiring, there are a few hazards and with the number of visitors it is also necessary to point out some courtesies that would make everyone’s visit pleasant. These are summed in a sign by the stairs and are worth repeating here:
The wind is always stronger on the peninsula – the loss of several hats in the Sawpit last summer can attest to that.
The trails can be icy in the winter and may not be passable after a heavy snowfall.
Footpath after February snow storm and 2.5 hours of shovelling.
It is always best to carry out any garbage because items left lying outside can be blown into the ocean. In the summer there is a garbage can in the parking area which is emptied regularly.
To respect others and for the safety of your pet, it is always best to have dogs on a leash. Not everyone picks up after their dogs which makes it unpleasant for others using the trails, particularly when it is left in the middle of the footpath.
Caution sign at stairs.
There are a few sharp drop offs and if you venture beyond the marked paths, you should be aware of this and take necessary precautions. It is a long walk back with an injury.
We hope that everyone enjoys the information and the panels help answer some frequently asked questions.
Part of a double rainbow that formed in October 2012
Which is correct - Swallowtail, Swallow Tail, Swallow's Tail? I guess it depends on what time frame you consider.
Early on, the peninsula was called Swallow's Tail, referring to the shape of the peninsula in relationship to the coves flanking it on either side. The peninsula looked like the long tail of a swallow, birds that were plentiful on the island, but unfortunately today are getting more and more difficult to find.
Illustration of a swallow superimposed on the peninsula to show the similarities. The curve of Pettes Cove, called Sprague's Cove in the 1850s, closely mimics the curve of a swallow's wing.
From the NB Lighthouse Publishing article Swallowtail Lightstation History. Update Posted 03.03.2007:
In a Dec. 15th, 1859 report I. Woodward of the Commission of Lighthouses said (p. 317 Board of Public Works Appendix, April 1860):
Sir, I have to report that in accordance with your request to me in the month of June last that I would proceed to Grand Manan taking with me John P. McKay and select a site for a lighthouse at the "Swallow's Tail" which he had contracted to build. We left Saint John on the 27th of June by steamer from Eastport, where, joined by Captain Robinson, R.N.Commissioner of Lighthouses, we proceeded to Grand Manan, whereon the 28th and 29th, we selected a spot on the Point known as the "Swallow's Tail", for the contemplated lighthouse and keepers house. Made an arrangement with the owner of the land, Mr. James Small, residing at Sprague's Cove...The apostrophe "s" was dropped at some point and became Swallow Tail, only to be further modified to Swallowtail. We have opted for the Swallow Tail spelling in our recent work but Swallowtail is still used extensively.
The new Grand Manan Adventure ferry was built with modern communications in mind. Few people these days are without a computer, tablet or cell phone so the access to WiFi during the ferry ride was a desirable feature. A company called ProData have been installing the necessary equipment to give continuous service during the ferry ride. The location of the Swallow Tail peninsula is ideal to bridge the gap between the ferry terminal on Grand Manan and the ferry during its run. Small relays have been installed on the boathouse and now give anyone in the area free Public WiFi.
Grand Manan Adventure ferry coming around Swallow Tail heading to Blacks Harbour.
This is a great perk for us, not to have that monthly bill, but to be able to promote free internet access to visitors, to those staying at the keepers house and to our summer staff. We hope this will also allow us to have a webcam installed in the future, similar to the one at the Long Eddy Lighthouse through Alpha Security Services, a local security company: http://alphasecurityservicesinc.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=55
Small WiFi relay antennae on the boat house at Swallow Tail.
The present keepers house was built in 1958 by Joseph McDowell & Son, a local contractor. Fortunately, Elmer Wilcox documented the construction and took this photograph when the keepers house was finished and the original keepers house was still standing. The photograph was taken from the top of the light house.
Original and new keepers houses taken from the lighthouse in 1958. Photograph taken by Elmer Wilcox
The original keepers house and small outbuildings were torn down and the site levelled. The keepers house did have an ell on it early on but it was removed probably because of wind damage and other difficulties in keeping buildings tight. leading to its deterioration. Soil remediation for lead and bismuth removed much of the soil where the original house was located and left the site more uneven. Some of the brick and concrete foundations still exist but otherwise it is only in photographs and people’s memories, but as you can see little else has changed with the building footprint, other than decks and paths. The door in the north porch (right side of the photograph) was changed soon after the keepers house was built because of the difficulty of opening it during north east gales.
Keepers House and Boat House as seen from the lighthouse in September 2012. Photograph taken by Ken Ingersoll.
While some new trees have sprouted, the small clump in the background doesn’t look like it has changed in 52 years. The herring weir has been moved further away from the peninsula and, of course, the fog bell now sits by the keepers house instead of the lighthouse.
We had yet another wonderful fund raiser for the Swallow Tail light station on July 7, 2012 at the Grand Manan Curling Club.
The list of volunteers and in-kind donations is lengthy to have such a wonderful success, including the three lobster fishermen who donated the lobster (Deane Griffin, Glenn Foster and anonymous), Laura Buckley and her crew from the Inn at Whale Cove Cottages for arranging, preparing and serving the food, Ce Bowdoin (tea biscuits), Swallowtail Lightkeeper Society volunteers for setting up, serving, working the door, and cleaning up (Ken Ingersoll, Sue Stymest, Theresa Noel, John Pattison, Linda L'Aventure, Pam Charters, Alexis Phillips, Sue McCulley, Lloyd MacFarland), musicians (Before the Mast, Dinah Romig, John McDonald, Alexandre Banks), Rick Doucet (serving), Atlantic Save Easy (rolls), Walter Wilson (salad), Strawberries, cream and other miscellaneous (Marathon Inn, Pettes Cove Arts, Peter and Marilyn Cronk, North Head Bakery McLaughlin Inn, Holly and Kirk Cheney, Deb Tremblay, Island Art workshops), , Adventure High (door prize). We want to thank the Grand Manan Curling Club for the facility (hall rental and cash bar). The Grand Manan Museum also provided their projector, on short notice, for the continuous slide show of the progress made at the light station since 2008. None of this could have happened without the support of the community and visitors who joined us for this fun evening. Thanks so much.
Great crowd enjoying the lobster rolls and the music
Inn at Whale Cove Cottage crew (Megan, Janna, Annie, Emmy) and Alexis Phillips preparing lobster rolls
Honourable Rick Doucet, MLA, helping serve
Before the Mast preforming one of the many songs during the evening. Rolling Down is the title song from their new CD (http://www.beforethemastseashanties.com/)
With spectacular weather, a group of nearly 100 people walked out to the keepers house at Swallow Tail on July 7th, the 152nd anniversary of the light house first being lit. Two RCMP officers were present, along with the Honourable Rick Doucet, the MLA for the area and Kirk Cheney representing the Village of Grand Manan who have been very supportive of the restoration efforts at the Swallow Tail light station and are in the process of reconsolidating the light station with the acquisition of the light tower in the near future.
RCMP officers breaking flag at annual flag raising
After a brief welcoming, Wayne Clifford, John Peacock, MJ Edwards, Millie and Alexandre Banks played an impromptu piece on the bronze fog bell, returned to the property in November 2011. The new deck around the bell acted as a natural stage for the event. Members of Before the Mast (http://www.beforethemastseashanties.com/) continued with two songs before everyone was given a chance to play the bell if they wished.
The Lahey Family was represented to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the beginning of 22 years of service by George Lahey as light keeper . The Dalzell family regrettably could not make the event which also marked the 100th anniversary of the retiring of George Dalzell as light keeper after 19 years of service.
Before the Mast helping celebrate the Swallow Tail light station anniversary
The descendants of the late light keeper, George Lahey, ringing the fog bell
Despite damage from many years of use and also being moved several times, the bell sounded wonderful and could be heard beyond the peninsula. Listen to three different strikes of the bell here: http://www.freesound.org/people/bob.burgess/sounds/160882/
April 19-20. Earth Day work weekend at Swallowtail. April 26-27 weather alternative.
May 24. Before the Mast Benefit Concert. Covert Hall. 7 pm.
July 1. Welcome Centre opens for the summer.
July 5. Lobster roll dinner and music (Fund-raiser). Grand Manan Curling Club. 6-9 pm. Reservations recommended.
July 7. Flag raising at Swallowtail to commemorate the 154th Anniversary. 2 pm weather dependent. Lighthouse Open House.
August 7. “A Tale of Two Lighthouses: The Saved & The Lost” (Swallowtail & Fish Fluke Point). Talk at the Grand Manan Museum. 7:30 pm. Laurie Murison and MJ Edwards.
August 15, 16, 17. International Lighthouse/Lightship weekend. Amateur radio operators set up at lighthouses and light ships around the world and attempt to communicate with each other via Ham Radio. Come join Sterling, Rick and Art at Swallowtail.
Laurie Murison is the chair of the Swallowtail Keepers Society, a community dedicated to the safeguarding and preservation of Grand Manan's historic light stations.
