Saddleback Ledge is named for its shape. It stands out of the water a mere 25 to 30 feet and is located at the Eastern entrance to Penobscot Bay.
In 1836 the ship Royal Tar loaded with circus performers and animals hit the ledge, caught fire and sank, all were lost. Only then did Congress approve funding for the Light; it was a large expense. In the early days the boathouse was in the bottom "floor" of the tower, and the keeper had two rooms on the second level for him and his family; one keeper had a wife and seven children. The family had a living room, a cook stove and two bedrooms put together on the next level. There was on cistern, rain water was collected in barrels, in all the setup was quite primitive. A boathouse and keepers cottage were added in 1868 much to the relief of keepers. Storms in 1947 and 1951 practically demolished the out buildings. The Light was automated in 1954 and it still shows, with an optic lens, a white flash every 6 seconds and the fog horn give a blast every 10 seconds.
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| The boat house and slips. Library of Congress |
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A visitor is hoisted ashore with a boom which was located onshore, see her swinging at
the end of the line. I guess it was all a part of the trip. |
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| An early Coast Guard photo of the location. |
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A visitor gets a hand from a Coast Guard Keeper, I don't think
it was a door to door salesman, probably an inspector. |
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