Bulletin - Vol 9 No. 2 March/April 2006

• Keepers at Point Perpendicular Lighthouse in 1918
• Mark Sheriff leaving Sugarloaf Point
• Pigeons as messengers on Tasman Island
• Why John Ibbotson chases lighthouses...?

Keepers at Point Perpendicular Lighthouse in 1918

Point Perpendicular Lighthouse alight for International Lighthouse Weekend 2005 Photo: Ian Clifford

Helen is one of our readers and researching the names of the Lighthouse keepers at Point Perpendicular in 1918.

• C.J. Gardner, 1917 - 1920
• W. Lubbock, 1917 - 1921
• J.H. Parker, Jan 1918 to July 1918

Does anyone know their first names or the names of their wives and children?

Also, does anyone know the little girl's name in the book called The Steeple Jack (a romance of Point Perpendicular)?

Thanks for your help.

 Email Helen

Mark Sheriff leaving Sugarloaf Point

Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse Photo: Annette Flotwell

Hello,

I just saw on the ABC News that Mark Sheriff's tenure as Lighthouse Keeper at Sugarloaf Point lighthouse was soon to come to an end as the cottages are to be "restored" and used for "the greater good" (The reporter's words, and not mine).

My partner and our children have holidayed at Seal Rocks every year for the last 5 years and made regular trips to the light to watch for whales or just appreciate the view and the history and beauty of the light and cottages. We always found Mark to be very hospitable and appreciated the work he has done at Sugarloaf Point, particularly the historical artefacts and information at the site.

Mark on the verandah at Sugarloaf Photo: Ian Clifford

For some reason I always felt a strong connection to Sugarloaf Point and appreciated the fact that there was a lighthouse keeper in residence, even if the lamp is automated. It saddens me that Mark and his family will no longer be at the lighthouse - a decision obviously solely based on the commercial possibilities of opening the buildings up as accommodation for the tourist trade. This will no doubt contribute to the commercial exploitation of the town of Seal Rocks - until now a relatively unspoilt coastal oasis and refuge from the kind of unthinking and untrammelled development that spoiled other areas of the NSW coast. Surely there has to come a time when history and, dare one say tradition, has primacy over financial gain and the tourist dollar?

If you have contact with Mark, please let him know that his work is much appreciated by many people and that our visits to Seal Rocks will feel the poorer for his absence. It is a very sad day for us, as I'm sure it his for him. Be assured that we could never stay at the lighthouse, as we consider it be his home.

Regards and best wishes for Mark's future,

Andrew Maitland & Rosalyn Lander
 Email Andrew & Rosalyn

Pigeons as messengers on Tasman Island

Tasman Island Lighthouse Photo: Erika Johnson

While reading the history of Tasman Island Lighthouse I noticed a reference to the use of pigeons as emergency messengers. I wonder if there is any more documentation about these birds? Any photos of them or the lofts where they were housed? How far were the birds flown? Where there any records kept of such flights or the messages that were carried?

I am an artist and pigeon flier doing a series of paintings documenting the use of pigeons as messengers. The idea that pigeons were used for communication from lighthouses is therefore of much interest and would be an important part of my work. I would very much appreciate any response to the questions.

Timothy Hume
Email Timothy

We forwarded Timothy's enquiry to John Cook, a retired Tasmanian lightkeeper who was stationed on Tasman during his career. John responded with this information:

Pigeons were supplied to the islands under contract, where the owner was paid on the arrival of a bird at his loft. I have seen pigeon grams in the past owned by old keepers. Perhaps some of them could still be around.

I have not seen a photo of where the pigeons were kept at either Tasman or Maat (Maatsyuker Island), but I have seen the remains of the old loft at Maatsuyker Is. The distance from Maat to Hobart in a straight line is approx. 123 km, and from Tasman to Hobart is approx 73km. When I was stationed at Maat, I often caught pigeons that had been blown off course and lost their way. I always tried to locate where they came from, and it was usually Victoria. They can fly great distances if not taken by hawks or hampered by heavy weather.

They were used to order food in the old days, and a bird was released on a regular basis with a message such as " All well on Station". At Tasman in 1927, two workmen had fallen off the crane; one was drowned and the other badly injured. The keepers released all the birds with the same message, requesting urgent medical assistance. Of all the birds released, I believe only two got through, but the message was received and a doctor was dispatched on the Cartela.

There is not much more I can add. I hope this helps a little.

John the L/Keeper
Email John

We forwarded John's letter to Timothy and sought permission to publish his request in this Bulletin. Is there anything else about the pigeons that our readers can add to this story? Please forward info, stories, copies of pigeon grams and photos to Steve Merson
Email Steve

John Ibbotson Photo: Denise Shultz

Why John Ibbotson chases lighthouses...?

Hi Denise!

I've just finished reading your Sugarloaf adventures. Sounds like a great trip.

Actually Macquarie Pass is not all that bad.

In my youth, when I used to race bicycles, I once got a ticket as I came down Macquarie Pass, for exceeding the speed limit, while riding no hands and peeling a banana.

When I appeared in court, and with the assistance of a friendly barrister, I was only fined $10 and told that acting like a monkey was not permitted on NSW's roads. No wonder I ended up chasing lighthouses.

John Ibbotson
Email John