FROM THE LOG OF THE MICHIGAN CITY LIGHTHOUSE
Born in Ogdensberg, New York, in 1824, Harriet Colfax moved to Chicago in 1851. She assumed the post of lighthouse keeper at Michigan City, Indiana, in 1861, a position she held until her retirement in 1904. Readers unaccustomed to perusing the logbooks of old light stations may miss the subtle notations of political maneuvering that Colfax notes in her logs. At first glance, her logs appear to be emotionless, but compared to other keeper’s logs—which usually list only times, dates, and weather in boring monotony—Colfax makes certain that her concerns were recorded so that when the logs were returned to Washington, D. C., at the close of navigation, her reactions would be read.
In the 1870s the Lighthouse Service became professionalized, part of a broadly based national movement to upgrade governmental maritime services, including the Life-Saving Service which manned station houses to patrol beaches to rescue shipwreck victims. Aside from mandating uniforms for personnel, the Lighthouse Service set up a system of spot inspections, regulated record-keeping and supply requisitions, and decided where lights were to be placed. It was, in short, a bureaucracy. While the worst abuses of earlier practice were corrected, the new system did not always function smoothly.
At one point Colfax notes that the Service decided to move the pier beacon from the east pier to the west pier. No reason is given. Unfortunately, not all the Captains read the “Notice to Mariners” in the papers—if they had access to the newspapers—and promptly misjudged their courses because the light had been changed and wrecked their ships. Moreover, in order for Colfax to light the pierhead beacon on the west pier, it became necessary for her to climb down the breakwater, get in a scow, row across the river to the other pier, then walk down it to the new light. This was not an easy task in bad weather, and was made impossible when her scow was destroyed by storms.
She repeatedly asks for help with the pierhead beacon, and is just as repeatedly told that if she can have someone, it will be only for the fall season. Since she would be incapable of tending both the beacon and the lighthouse herself, we may surmise that this was an attempt to force her out. On April 8, 1884, she notes in the log that her request for help has been granted, but only after political connections in Washington “interest[ed] themselves in my behalf. I am deeply grateful. H. E. C.” This sort of notation in a lighthouse log is extremely rare and reveals how concerned she was that she would need to give up her position.
The Service next attempted to discontinue the main light altogether, replacing it with a range light. Only after the intervention of the shipping interests in Chicago and their political connections in Washington was the light restored. But Colfax could not resist the dry notation in the log on October 14 of 1886 that she viewed the beacon light washed up on the beach, just in case her superiors hadn’t noticed their plan of replacing the main light with a range light wouldn’t work.
While it may be true that some of the problems she experienced with the Service bureaucracy were a blatant attempt to force her out and replace her with man, gender did not always help. Sumner Kimball, head of the Life-Saving Service, fared little better with Washington when he tried repeatedly to raise pay and get pensions for his surfmen and station masters to avoid the constant turnover of personnel. The reality was that after the Civil War the United States suffered several profound depressions, continuing economic deflation, and the normal political infighting and stasis that still affect government today. It is equally accurate to see Colfax as a quiet, competent woman who was willing to use powerful men with connections when she needed them to get what she wanted. And then politely, but pointedly, remind her superiors that she had prevailed.
1872
August 12: Clear and warm with light winds. US Tender Blaze came in about 5 a.m. with supplies for the Lt. House. Commodore Murray and Lt. House inspector called at the Lt. House. Expressed himself well satisfied with everything about the establishment.
August 16: This is the day on which the comet was to strike the earth and demolish all things terrestrial—but failed to come up to appointment. The elevated walk was run into by a vessel entering the harbor and considerably damaged.
August 24: Afternoon showers. Thunder storm evening. Had walk to beacon repaired today by order of General Poe.
September 18: Cold day. Heavy Northwest gale towards night, the waves dashing over both piers, very nearly carrying me with them into the lake.
September 29: Wind blowing a westerly gale all day and still rising at 5 p.m. Four vessels entered while the gale was at its height and ran against the elevated walk, breaking it in again. Went to the beacon tonight with considerable risk of life.
October 1: Weather clear and pleasant. The captain of one of the vessels that came into port in the gale of the 29th died of consumption today—death hastened by exposure.
October 13: Northerly gale, continuing all day and all night. Weather cold with rain and hail storms. Gale perfectly fearful by nightfall—waves dashed over the top of the beacon—reached the beacon in imminent risk tonight as the waves ran over the elevated walk. Watched both lights with closest attention all night. Wrote to Commander Murray today reporting the trouble I am having with the beacon.
October 14: Gale continued all day, abating somewhat as the sun went down. My assistant’s appointment came today—took him down to the beacon with me this evening and instructed him in his duties. He is intelligent and will be faithful.
1873
April 1: Warm rain and south wind. Ice all out of the harbor. Exhibited the lights tonight. They are unloading the schooner Restless which ran ashore and was frozen in the ice last fall. It is thought she will be gotten off with very little damage.
April 15: Rainy day. Heavy fog in the night. The beacon light not visible from the house. Took a walk at 12 o’clock to investigate. The lamp was burning brilliantly and the mainlight “under a cloud.”
May 6: Pleasant weather. 3 arrivals. Mailed a letter to the Office of the Light House Engineer asking for extension of elevated walk to beacon.
May 26: Pleasant day. Hard thunderstorm in the evening. Rough time getting out to the beacon.
May 28: A terrible hurricane tonight at about the time of lighting up. Narrowly escaped being swept into the lake.
June 5: Fires comfortable. The first pile for extension of the west pier was driven tonight as I was lighting the beacon.
August 17: The supply vessel Blaze put in (as usual) a very unexpected appearance this morning about 7 o’clock. Commodore Murray, Lt. House inspector, Captain Davis of the Lt. House board, and Colonel Wilkins USA were aboard and came up to the house. The officers expressed themselves much pleased with the buildings, lanterns, lights, apparatus, and c. Obtained commander Murray’s approval of the extension of the elevated walk up to the beach line and also of a plank walk extending from the Lt. House to the pier.
October 28: Terrific westerly gale. The waves dashing high over both piers and over my head when on my way down to light the beacon.
October 31: Mainlight and beacon both bewitched tonight requiring my constant attention during the entire night.
1874
April 1: Heavy gale. A vessel entered during the storm, ran into the elevated walk doing considerable damage.
June 9: Fierce tornado and thunderstorm about 4 p.m. Bark Geo. S. Seavor entered the harbor in the worst of the storm in a dilapidated condition, running into and damaging the elevated walk.
October 1: Received notice today from Major Robert, Lt. House Engineer, of the proposed removal of the beacon light to the west pier.
October 20: Petitioned the Lt. House Board for an assistant.
November 16: The beacon was removed to the west pier today.
November 23: Fearful storm. Strong westerly gale, with snow and sleet. The man in temporary charge of the beacon light was unable to reach it tonight—consequently the light was not exhibited.
November 24: The storm continues unabated. Very cold and snowing and drifting. Creek frozen across. A part of the elevated walk carried away and the beacon again unlighted.
1882
July 7: Rainy day. Sent to the Dept. a request for 4 cords of wood.
July 9: Pleasant day. Rain in the evening. Rec’d reply to request for wood. Do not allow it any longer.
July 12: Clear and warm. Mr. James rec’d his dismissal from the care of the beacon light.
September 30: Rec’d letter from Commander Watson in reply to mine asking for Mr. James’s restitution if possible. Is afraid nothing can be done.
1883
February 27: Letter from the Inspector informing me that I shall not be allowed any one to assist me with the beacon light during the summer months.
April 22: Strong East wind and cold rain. Reached beacon with difficulty.
April 23: Strong East wind. P. M. gale from the North. Reached beacon with difficulty.
September 10: Warm and clear. Rec’d pleasant call from Lt. Kennedy this morning. Walked to the beacon with me and has consented to my employing Mr. James to assist me.
1884
April 8: 2 inches of snow. Rec’d notice thro’ letter from Captain Cook to Collector of Customs of this port that I shall be permitted to employ “a laborer” to assist me at the beacon. Representative Calkins, and other kind friends, including the Inspector, have been interesting themselves in my behalf. I am deeply grateful. H. E. C.
1885
July 23: Light southwest wind and warm rain. Draped the Lt. House in mourning for General Grant—brave old hero.
October 26: Light South wind—light warm rain. Rec’d letter from the Inspector notifying me that the mainlight will be discontinued at close of navigation and the lens transferred to the beacon lantern.
November 14: Strong Northwest wind, now flurries—cold. Great dissatisfaction exists among citizens and sailors at the contemplated discontinuance of the mainlight.
December 4: Severe West to Northwest gale, rain and snow storm. Terrible storm increasing with the night.
December 5: Gale continues, with snow—cold. Elevated walk badly damaged and beacon damaged and light put out. The beacon cannot be repaired this fall. Telegraphed the inspector and afterward wrote him and the engineer. Telegram from the inspector to “hang a lantern” out which I did.
December 6: Gale continues, with snow—cold. 14 degrees below. Lantern carried away in the storm.
December 7: Gale subsiding. Clear and very cold. Sent a man down in a tug to light the beacon. No other way of reaching it.
December 12: Fresh East wind, flurries of snow—freezing cold. Capt. Cook arrived by early train. Instructed me to close the light as soon as it was practicable and forward bill for tug services.
December 15: Weather moderating. Evening, growing colder. Cleaned and polished lamps and other apparatus and covered them from dust and dampness in the oil room.
1886
March 22: Clear and cold. Light Northwest wind. “Notice to Mariners” appeared in Chicago morning papers that the mainlight of this port would be discontinued on the opening of navigation and a 5th order lens showing a red light placed at the end of the west pier.
March 25: Cloudy and mild. Light Southwest wind. Notice in the Chicago a.m. papers that the Lt. House Board has revoked the order to discontinue the mainlight.
October 14: Severe Southeast wind and rain storm this morning and severe westerly gale this afternoon. The beacon structure was carried away in the storm and thrown up on the beach, a wreck. The temporary light also carried away.
October 17: Clear and cool. Light West wind. Took a walk up the beach to view the wreck of the beacon.
December 9: Clear and mild—fresh south wind—cloudy and growing colder. Put up lamps and other apparatus for the winter.
December 12: Thick fog and warm rain. Reopened the light for the salt boat, F & CM No. 2, which was supposed to have gone into winter quarters below, but subsequently concluded to make the trip and telegraphed for the light.
December 16: Calm and clear—growing colder towards night. Packed the lamps away for the second time.
1904
October 1: Tendered my resignation of the mainlight to the Lt. House Inspector, the same to take effect October 13, 1904.
October 13: North fresh to moderate winds, cloudy to clear and pleasant. Looking over public property—signed property returns. The retiring Keeper left the station this 4 p.m. and all her personal effects.
Harriet E. Colfax died April 16, 1905.