coast guard

Historic Information Located at the eastern entrance to Boothbay Harbor, Ram Island was home to male sheep prior to its use as a lighthouse station. Located just 165 feet from nearby Fisherman's Island, they and the Hypocrites ledges have been the cause of many a shipwreck. Many attempts were made by local fishermen to hang a lantern to mark the passage after they were almost victims of the same misfortune. Wrecks and protests by ship captains resulted in the purchase of the island in 1837 for $195, but construction of the Ram Island Lighthouse never occurred until 1883. [...]

Historic Information The federal government purchased the five-acre Burnt Island for $150 from Jacob Auld and Joseph McCobb. Located at the entrance to Boothbay Harbor, Burnt Island Lighthouse is Maine's oldest "original" tower because it has never been altered since its construction in 1821. The lighthouse is made from rough cut granite and is referred to as rubblestone. It is believed that the granite blocks were harvested from the cellar hole under the keeper's dwelling, a common practice instead of hauling building materials ashore. Even though it has withstood the test-of-time, a full restoration of the lighthouse, dwelling, [...]