Binoculars, Wood Island Lighthouse, ca. 1865
Contributed by Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse
Description
These binoculars and their wooden box container were awarded to Wood Island Lighthouse Keeper Eben Emerson by the British Government for his heroism in saving the crew (and several animals) from the wreck of the Brig "Edyth Ann."
The ship, from Digby, Nova Scotia, foundered and disintegrated on Washburn Ledge near Wood Island Lighthouse in a brutal storm on her journey from Puerto Rico to Portland with a cargo of molasses and sugar.
The brass plaque on the top of the box reads: "Presented by the British Government to Mr. Eben Emerson, Lighthouse Keeper, Wood Island in recognition of his humane services to the crew of the Edyth Ann of Digby, Nova Scotia on 16th March, 1865."
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