This is the second part in a three-part interview with Barry Porter, whose new book Adventures of a Lightkeeper tells the story of his 23 years (1983 to 2006) with the Canadian Coast Guard as a lighthouse keeper on the northeast coast of Newfoundland. Barry started his years as a full-time principal keeper in 1984 at Long Point Light Station on North Twillingate Island. Long Point, with its distinctive red lighthouse tower, is one of the 23 light stations in Newfoundland that are still staffed by resident keepers. It’s also a major tourist attraction.
Barry’s next stop in 1988 was Bacalhao Island Light Station, which takes its name from the Portuguese word for cod. Barry spent four years at Bacalhao Island and then moved on to Surgeon’s Cove Head on Exploits Island. Barry ended up staying at Surgeon’s Cove for 10 years, until it was automated in 2002. In 2003 Barry spent a brief period at Puffin Island Lighthouse, off Greenspond on the northwest side of Bonavista Bay. Then from 2003 to 2006, Barry was back at Long Point.
Photos courtesy of Barry Porter
Barry’s book, Adventures of a Lightkeeper, is available from online booksellers. If you would like to get an autographed copy directly from Barry, you can contact him directly through his Facebook page. This is part 2 of 3 parts. Listen to the podcast using the player below.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 57:12 — 46.8MB) | Embed
Jeremy D’Entremont is the author of more than 20 books and hundreds of articles on lighthouses and maritime history. He is the president and historian for the American Lighthouse Foundation and founder of Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses, and he has lectured and narrated cruises throughout the Northeast and in other regions. He is also the producer and host of the U.S. Lighthouse Society podcast, “Light Hearted.” He can be emailed at Jeremy@uslhs.org