American Lighthouse Foundation

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • Who We Are
  • What We Do
    • Historic Preservation
    • Lighthouse History
    • Programs & Public Access
      • Lighthouse Tours
      • Stay at a Lighthouse
  • Where We Work
    • ALF Interpretive Center
    • Lighthouse Projects
    • ALF Chapters
    • Affiliate Members
  • How to Help
    • Become a Lighthouse GEM!
    • Donate Today
    • Become a Member
    • Memorial Donation
  • Events
    • 2023 Annual Lighthouse Gala
    • Maine Open Lighthouse Day
    • National Lighthouse Day
  • Latest News…
  • Shop Online

Keeper Joshua Card – A True Lighthouse Legend

By: American Lighthouse Foundation Published: September 13, 2018

Keeper Joshua Card

Joshua K. Card served an amazing 42 years at Boon Island and Portsmouth Harbor lights.
(Photo courtesy of New Castle Historical Society)

During his illustrious career as a lighthouse keeper, Joshua Card was universally respected for his dedicated service and longevity – a total of forty-two years spent serving at Maine’s Boon Island (1867 to 1874) and New Hampshire’s Portsmouth Harbor (1874 to 1909).

In 1908, the following account was published in the Genealogical and Personal Memoirs, Relating to the Families of Boston and Eastern Massachusetts, which was prepared under the editorial supervision of William Richard Cutter, A.M., Lewis Historical Publishing Company, New York.

“Captain Joshua Kenney Card, son of John Card, was born in New Castle, New Hampshire, August 29, 1822, in the old home at New Castle, literally overhanging the waters of the Piscataqua River. He received his education in the public schools.

Captain Card

Keeper Card on the walkway outside of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse.
(Photo courtesy of Portsmouth Athenaeum)

At the age of twelve he made his first voyage, shipping as cabin boy in the fishing schooner ‘Hope,’ of which his father was first mate. That was before the days of stoves and steam heat in vessels, and part of his duty was to keep the fire-place in the cabin supplied with wood. That voyage lasted four months.

He continued to follow the sea until 1849 and during most of the time on fishing vessels, but he made a great many voyages to the south, as far as Cuba. In 1849 his father shipped on the brig ‘Martha’ for a voyage to California, and the son left the sea and took a position in the navy yard at Portsmouth. Subsequently, he worked at teaming and established the first express line between New Castle and Portsmouth.

Boon Island Lighthouse

Boon Island Lighthouse
(U.S. Coast Guard Photo)

In 1867 he was offered the position of light-keeper at Boone Island and accepted it, remaining there six years and having his family with him during that time. He tells of a tidal wave striking the island in 1872, washing away every boat but one little tender.

The family were compelled to seek safety in the top of the tower. The water stood two feet deep in the light-house, and floated and ruined much of the furniture. The wave came without warning and nothing was secured.

Mr. Card moved his family back to New Castle and soon afterward was appointed light-keeper at Fort Point (Portsmouth Harbor) light-house, where he is still on duty, after more than thirty-five years of service. He is one of the oldest light-keepers on the coast of the United States.

Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse

Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse
(National Archives Photo)

In forty-one years as light-keeper at Boone Island and Fort Point he has been faithful to his duty and never the subject of a complaint. He was the first light-keeper to use kerosene in place of sperm oil, and upon his report the new oil was adopted in the light-houses of the government.

In thirty-five years his light has been in charge of a substitute but eleven nights altogether, and although he is eighty-five years old the light-house inspectors all agree that there is not a more efficient man in the service. Despite his age, Captain Card is hale and hearty, vigorous and alert. He stands six feet, two inches, and does not look more than sixty years old.

Keeper Card

Keeper Joshua Card standing in front of the entry door to Portsmouth Harbor Light.
(Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses Photo)

In January, 1908, he was chosen chairman of the committee by a mass meeting of citizens to go to Washington and protest to President Roosevelt against the location of a new military post in New Castle. Captain Card was willing to accept the duty, but his family persuaded him against the undertaking.

Captain Card’s daughter-in-law and his grand-daughter live with him in the house within old Fort Constitution in a space reserved by the war department. The house has been moved several times to make way for the fortification in late years. The present light-house is the second built on this site.

The regular summer residents are all friends of the veteran light-keeper. They call each year to pay their respect upon their arrival and to say good-bye when leaving in the fall.”

Portsmouth Harbor Light

A vintage view of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse.
(U.S. Coast Guard Photo)

Share On: Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Pinterest

Filed Under: ALF News, Boon Island Lighthouse, Lighthouse History, Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse Tagged With: boon island, joshua card, keeper, lighthouse, portsmouth harbor

Make a Donation!

Help support the American Lighthouse Foundation by making a donation today!
 
Donate Button with Credit Cards

Sign up for email updates…

Join Our Email List
For Email Marketing you can trust.

News by Category

  • ALF News
  • Avery Point Lighthouse
  • Boon Island Lighthouse
  • Browns Head Lighthouse
  • Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse
  • Dutch Island Lighthouse
  • Halfway Rock Lighthouse
  • Lighthouse History
  • Little River Lighthouse
  • Long Point Lighthouse
  • Nauset Lighthouse
  • New England Lighthouse Lovers
  • New London Ledge Lighthouse
  • Newport Harbor Lighthouse
  • Oswego Lighthouse
  • Owls Head Lighthouse
  • Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
  • Perkins Island Lighthouse
  • Pomham Rocks Lighthouse
  • Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse
  • Prospect Harbor Lighthouse
  • Race Point Lighthouse
  • Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse
  • Sandy Neck Lighthouse
  • Whaleback Lighthouse
  • Wood End Lighthouse
  • Wood Island Lighthouse
American Lighthouse Foundation Logo

American Lighthouse Foundation

PO Box 565, Rockland, ME 04841
Ph: (207) 594-4174
Celebrating 25 Years!

Copypright © 2023 · American Lighthouse Foundation