25320a,b,c. (lot three disciplinary letters) Keeper Conrad Hawk, Pecks Ledge Light Station (Ct.) c.1913. A lighthouse was proposed in 1896 to mark Pecks Ledge at the east end of the Norwalk Islands in Norwalk, Connecticut but it wasn’t until 1906 that the light was operational. The lighthouse was of a common caisson “sparkplug” type, made of cast iron plates and fitted to accommodate two keepers. The lantern was initially fitted with a fourth order Fresnel lens and exhibiting a flashing white light. The interior had three stories of living space, topped by a watchroom and lantern. There was also a basement containing cisterns for the storage of rainwater. In February 1913, Keeper Conrad Hawk was working on his lobster traps and left a receptacle of tar near the firebox side of the kitchen stove. Jeremy D’Entremont notes in his’ history of the station that ”…Keeper Hawk then noticed that the nearby lantern at Grassy Hummock was out and rowed over to relight the navigational aid. On his way back to Pecks Ledge he saw smoke pouring from the windows in his light tower. Thinking quickly, Keeper Hawk climbed to the tower roof and managed to get inside the lighthouse. He blocked a kitchen window with a quilt, stopping the draft that was feeding the fire. He then repeatedly drew seawater with a bucket and managed to put out the flames”. Although his carelessness caused the fire, the keeper’s fast thinking may have saved the lighthouse from destruction. However, considerable damage was suffered by the station. Offered here are the three official specification of charges and disciplinary letters issued by the Bureau of Lighthouses with one signed in the hand of Commissioner George Putnam.

The first letter, dated February 25, 1913 details two charges against the keeper and details the fire incident. It further directs Keeper Hawk to reply with any statement that he wished to make. Signed by J. Y.  Yates, Office of Lighthouse Inspector, 3^rd District, Tompkinsville, N.Y.

The second letter, dated February 26, 1913 notes that “…while it is considered that the fire was a result of carelessness on your part, this office is gratified to know that upon discovering the fire, you without assistance, used all available means at your command to extinguish the fire until it was out.” Signed by J. Y.  Yates, Office of Lighthouse Inspector, 3^rd District, Tompkinsville, N.Y.

The third letter, dated March 15, 1913 is from the Bureau of Lighthouses, Washington and is signed in the curse hand of Commissioner Putnam. Putnam notes that although the keeper used all available means to extinguish the fire, in view of the seriousness of the incident he was cautioned to avoid a reoccurrence, and notes that copies of the letter have been filed in the keeper’s personnel file.

In view of the seriousness of the incident, it is extremely rare in my view for the Lighthouse Service to have retained the keeper where as in prior years, far smaller infractions had resulted in more serious consequences including dismissal. This three letter lot on such a subject, including one from the Commissioner himself,  in original and such good condition, is an unprecedented find.

Documents measure 8” x 10 ½” and are on original printed stationery of the Lighthouse Service (two different styles). Documents are overall bright and clean, only light foxing or soiling and one stain. Each with two original folds. (VG+). Lot three (3) documents $785 net.