Martin Thompson Sandy Point Lighthouse Photo

Martin Thompson was keeper of Sandy Point lighthouse from 1905 until his retirement in 1933. Thompson was one of five people drowned when the 1938 hurricane swept away the keeper's house where they had gathered for protection from the storm.

As a boy, Charles Homan lived on Prudence Island with his grandparents, the Thompsons. Charles had happy memories of his time at Sandy Point.

In summer we always had visitors, and it was the duty of the keeper to show them the light. The lens was very beautiful French crystal and it was quite something to see. highly polished and well taken care of, and the brass, too. I can remember my grandfather saying. ‘We will polish the brass'—and the 'we' was me!

Grandfather was in the Norwegian merchant marine and was wrecked three times, decided he'd had enough and came to the United States. He had a friend in the Lighthouse Service on Staten Island who got him a job lighting the lamps at Hell's Gate in New York. Next he was assistant keeper at Sakonnet Point, then Borden Flats in Fall River, and finally Prudence Island. A typical day was like this: First, you were up before S o'clock. When daylight came you extinguished the light, trimmed the wick, got every thing ready for the next night, took care of the tower, polished the lens, and put the cover on the light. Then you went about your duties of painting, maintaining, and general chores. Just like on the farm, your work is never done. Then we’d do what we had on the side, pull a lobster pot or some trawling. Toward evening you'd just reverse what you did in the morning.

And if you had a fog coming... .This I could never understand, my grandfalher could feel if the fog was going to set in at maybe 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning, and in that case he’d retire very early. He would set an alarm, but nine times out of ten he would be up before the alarm went off. Then the bell would start; the sound was very nice, much better than the hooter we have now.

(left) Keeper Martin Thompson, ca. 1930

(above) Prudence Island Light, ca. 1920