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Adventures of a Lightkeeper
A lightkeeper was on watch.
For twenty-three years, Barry Porter worked as a lighthouse keeper with the Canadian Coast Guard on the northeast coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. His adventures began at Surgeon’s Cove Head Lighthouse, which guided shipping to and from the busy ports of Botwood and Lewisporte. Barry also worked at the historic Long Point Lighthouse on Twillingate Island. He was the last lightkeeper to live in this majestic 146-year-old dwelling while working there. There, he observed some of the most dedicated hunters and fishermen in the world.
Barry had many close encounters with Arctic foxes, hungry polar bears, snowy owls, humpback whales, and towering icebergs. His journals describe the isolation, the history of the lighthouses, the hardy pioneers who first kept the light, marine rescues, near misses, and vicious storms. Completing this lightkeeper’s tale are memories of the Canadian Coast Guard ships he worked alongside—including the Sir Wilfred Grenfell, Sir John Franklin, Sir Humphrey Gilbert, and Ann Harvey—the helicopters and technicians, rescues Barry performed while off-duty, and his efforts to rehabilitate a paralyzed beagle that lived with him at one of the lighthouses.
For twenty-three years, Barry Porter worked as a lighthouse keeper with the Canadian Coast Guard on the northeast coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. His adventures began at Surgeon’s Cove Head Lighthouse, which guided shipping to and from the busy ports of Botwood and Lewisporte. Barry also worked at the historic Long Point Lighthouse on Twillingate Island. He was the last lightkeeper to live in this majestic 146-year-old dwelling while working there. There, he observed some of the most dedicated hunters and fishermen in the world.
Barry had many close encounters with Arctic foxes, hungry polar bears, snowy owls, humpback whales, and towering icebergs. His journals describe the isolation, the history of the lighthouses, the hardy pioneers who first kept the light, marine rescues, near misses, and vicious storms. Completing this lightkeeper’s tale are memories of the Canadian Coast Guard ships he worked alongside—including the Sir Wilfred Grenfell, Sir John Franklin, Sir Humphrey Gilbert, and Ann Harvey—the helicopters and technicians, rescues Barry performed while off-duty, and his efforts to rehabilitate a paralyzed beagle that lived with him at one of the lighthouses.
273 pages, Paperback
Published May 13, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 23, 2022
Barry Porter was a lighthouse keeper for 23 years, keeping an eye on the sea and guiding ships to safety in the worst of Newfoundland weather. This is the story of his adventures, the feelings of isolation, the sometimes mishaps, and everything else in between – a full life led that is enviable to this reader! This book is, indeed, quite aptly named.
It is a fun read, full of interesting stories interspersed with photos of Mr. Porter’s time at various lighthouse locations across the province. In particular, I enjoyed hearing about his encounters with animals such as the arctic fox that he patiently fed until he could get close enough for a photo. And what a sweet photo it is!
Mr. Porter met many colorful people during his time as a lighthouse keeper: hunters, photographers and even models. He took part in daring rescues, endured the fiercest of storms and even found love along the way. I have to give props to the author for, perhaps, the best proposal story I have ever heard. Nothing will ever beat that and I am so impressed with how well it was executed. That sort of creativity should definitely earn a resounding “yes!”
A wonderful, exciting and fast paced book, “Adventures of a Lightkeeper” is one that I would recommend to anyone wanting an inside look into the life of the people who keep the light on.
It is a fun read, full of interesting stories interspersed with photos of Mr. Porter’s time at various lighthouse locations across the province. In particular, I enjoyed hearing about his encounters with animals such as the arctic fox that he patiently fed until he could get close enough for a photo. And what a sweet photo it is!
Mr. Porter met many colorful people during his time as a lighthouse keeper: hunters, photographers and even models. He took part in daring rescues, endured the fiercest of storms and even found love along the way. I have to give props to the author for, perhaps, the best proposal story I have ever heard. Nothing will ever beat that and I am so impressed with how well it was executed. That sort of creativity should definitely earn a resounding “yes!”
A wonderful, exciting and fast paced book, “Adventures of a Lightkeeper” is one that I would recommend to anyone wanting an inside look into the life of the people who keep the light on.
January 14, 2023
More of a description of Porters work as a lighthouse keeper in Newfoundland, the book does provide some insight into the operation of lighthouses. Over the years he worked at Surgeon's Cove Head Lighthouse, Long Point Lighthouse, Bacalhao Island Lighthouse and Puffin Island Lighthouse.
One day at Long Point Lighthouse, he noticed the sea ice opening while seal hunters were out. When he activated the foghorn, the hunters immediately ran fo shore but some where barely able to get over the new leads.
Some stories are humorous. He painted the Bacalhao Island Lighthouse twice - once with a fellow that could not distinguish between the primer and the red paint; the second time with a fellow who was afraid of heights.
Porter tell of Richard Wells of Exploits Island who had rare Newfoundland sheep. The original sheep came from Christchurch England a couple of hundred years ago but had never been bred with an imported ram.
The book ends with a series series of anecdotes, including a number of rescues Porter had carried out.
One day at Long Point Lighthouse, he noticed the sea ice opening while seal hunters were out. When he activated the foghorn, the hunters immediately ran fo shore but some where barely able to get over the new leads.
Some stories are humorous. He painted the Bacalhao Island Lighthouse twice - once with a fellow that could not distinguish between the primer and the red paint; the second time with a fellow who was afraid of heights.
Porter tell of Richard Wells of Exploits Island who had rare Newfoundland sheep. The original sheep came from Christchurch England a couple of hundred years ago but had never been bred with an imported ram.
The book ends with a series series of anecdotes, including a number of rescues Porter had carried out.
August 10, 2022
This book is great, full of real life stories about an unusual job some of us didn’t know still existed. The best part of this book is the on going thread about human connections (and canine) that can take place everywhere and with everyone.
I had a smile the entire I read that book because it felt real and beautiful and now I want to visit Newfoundland and Labrador for its people and its scenery.
I had a smile the entire I read that book because it felt real and beautiful and now I want to visit Newfoundland and Labrador for its people and its scenery.
August 9, 2022
An enjoyable and easy read that will whisk you away to a different time and place! A memoir that chronicles the 23 year career of lightkeeper author Barry Porter. Check out my full review at https://firesidecollections.blogspot....
July 24, 2025
I picked this up in St. John's, Newfoundland, to see if it had any good stories of lighthouse life, and it did, but there was also too much detail, and the pictures are terrible quality, so it could have been much better than it was, imho.
January 11, 2023
A really nice book!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews