1 |
The waters surrounding Turkey Point are full of dangerous rocks. Don’t let your ship come too close. Do you see all that wood in the water? That’s from the ships that got wrecked here. |
2 |
I am Fannie, the lighthouse keeper. I bet you did not meet many female lighthouse keepers, right? I took over after my late husband. I used to help him out when he was the keeper. |
3 |
Why don’t you come inside? I was just preparing dinner. It can be quite lonely to live in a lighthouse. I would welcome a company for dinner. And these waters are especially dangerous in the dark. |
4 |
I know you have probably some urgent business but I was wondering if you could help me. I long for fresh food and I also need materials for repairs. My supply ship comes only once a month. |
5 |
Would you be willing to help me out? If you come this way, please stop by. I could really use your help. Of course, I will repay you for all the materials you bring me. |
6 |
I am not exactly young anymore and the steps to the top of the lighthouse are steep. The railing is frail and I fear to lean on it. If you could help me fix it, I would be so glad. |
7 |
You have some skilled sailors on your ship, right? They could help with fixing the railing. You are the captain after all. This is no job for you. |
8 |
There is an oil lamp at the top of the lighthouse. I have to keep it burning at all times. That’s why I need a lot of oil. It’s quite dangerous but I have become used to it by now. |
9 |
I use the oil only for the lighthouse lamp. In the house, I am heating with firewood. The monthly supply ship usually brings me enough wood to last a few weeks. But I have to use it sparingly. |
10 |
Being a lighthouse keeper is not a very exciting job. I take care of the maintenance of the lighthouse, read some books, or catch fish. There is not much else to do here. |
11 |
I live in the house attached to the lighthouse. When my husband was still alive, we build the second story of the house. But it was not done very well. There are some repairs needed. |
12 |
Once the winter comes, the winds from the sea are freezing. I like to sew clothes when the weather is too cold to be outside. If you bring me some cloth, I will sew some warm clothes for you. |
13 |
The supply ship is late this time. It won’t be here until the month ends. My supplies of firewood are almost gone and the weather is getting colder by the day. Can you bring me some wood? |
14 |
The supply ship always brings my monthly payment and food. Could you go to the Coast Guard Headquarters and find out why it did not arrive this time? Maybe it’s just late. |
15 |
So the ship has set sail as planned? There was a thick fog yesterday, it’s possible they got lost. I sounded the fog bell yesterday but it’s all rusty and does not sound as well as before. |
16 |
Please, captain, you must go look for the supply ship. It may have foundered but we could still save the crew. Take your sailors and go find them. |
17 |
Did you find the ship? How is the crew? Did any of them survive? How about the supplies? Could anything be salvaged? |
18 |
I am glad that there were no deaths on that ship. I will use the salvaged supplies right away and cook something. Most of them got wet and won’t be able to last long now. |
19 |
The lighthouse has seen quite a few winters already. The weather and time have taken their toll on the building. Maybe you could help fix it up a bit so it will last this winter too. |
20 |
I am heating the whole house with this stove. It’s quite old and is not large enough to warm the whole house. But a new one is too expensive. I can’t afford it from the lighthouse keeper’s wage. |
21 |
I just received a message from the Coast Guard headquarters. The lighthouse will be electrified after the new year. Some people will come and lay the cables first. That will make my work a lot easier. |
22 |
A new electric lamp will be installed in the lighthouse. Now I am still using the oil lamp that has to be refilled often. I have to watch it the whole night. It’s not a restful sleep. |
23 |
We should build a hut around the fog bell. It rained for the past week and I am afraid this new one will get rusty soon too. A simple wooden shack should keep it dry. |
24 |
There has been a change in the electrification schedule. My lighthouse has been moved to the last place on the list. I don’t want to wait another half a year. Could your sailors take care of it instead? |
25 |
This year’s winter is especially cold and unpleasant. Thanks to you I have enough wood to keep the fire burning day and night. A pity I don’t have some cocoa, a warm cup in front of the fire would be nice. |
26 |
After the lighthouse is electrified, my job will be just a formality. It is to be expected I will be let go. What will I do then? I am good at fishing and cooking. I could make a living out of that. |
27 |
We have sold our house in the city when we moved to the lighthouse. I will have to look for an apartment. I do not have money for a house, neither do I need it since I am alone. |
28 |
My husband is buried here. I wish I could have him moved closer to the city so I can still visit his grave often. I have saved money for a nice tombstone. I promised to make him a beautiful resting place. |
29 |
The Turkey Point Lighthouse will start using electricity tomorrow. I will remain the keeper for now. I can find a new hobby to fill all that free time. Maybe I could try making pottery. |
30 |
This electricity is really efficient. I wish all the lights in my house would work on it too. But the Coast Guard is financing only the lighthouse electrification. A pity that. |
31 |
I am actually looking forward to moving to the city. I have served many years as a lighthouse keeper but I will enjoy the city life once more. Especially this cold here is bad for my old bones now. |
32 |
It’s decided, I will be retiring at the end of this year. I should start looking for an apartment in the city. Can your sailors take over for me here, while I go see the apartments for sale? |
33 |
I have found the perfect apartment in the middle of the city, close to everything. I long to live among people again. I am done with living like a hermit. Unfortunately, it’s more expensive than I can afford. |
34 |
It’s so nice of you to help me out. Allow me to bake you something sweet in return. But wait, I am all out of sugar. Could you go to the city and bring me some? |
35 |
While we wait for the cake to cool off, we should first eat a regular meal. Let’s make some grilled fish from the local waters. I will sure miss the fresh seafood in the city. Let’s enjoy it while we can. |
36 |
The day of my retirement is coming close. Thanks to your help I still have some money left and I was thinking about making some adjustments to my new apartment. What do you think? |
37 |
After I retire, the lighthouse will be working without a keeper. From time to time, someone will come to check if all is functioning without issues. I did not think I would be the last lighthouse keeper. |
38 |
I will be taking the furniture from the house to the apartment. As no one else will be living here now, I can take all of the things to my new home. Will you help me move? |
39 |
Today is the day I leave the lighthouse. I will miss the sea but not the loneliness. Let’s have a drink to celebrate the end of a chapter in my life. I hope the next one will be even better. |
40 |
Are you sailing to the city? Can you take me with you? You can come to visit me at my apartment anytime. And your crew is welcome too. Thank you for everything, captain. |
Final |
Thank you for your help. Don't forget your reward, captain. |