Memoirs Of A Lightkeeper's Son: Life On St. Paul Island

by Billy Budge

William (Billy) G. Budge was born in 1948 in the small fishing village of Neil’s Harbour on the northern tip of Cape Breton. In 1955 his father accepted the position of lighthouse keeper on St. Paul Island, a rugged and forlorn mountain in the sea. Positioned at the entrance to the Gulf of St. Lawrence between Cape Breton and Newfoundland, this island is subject to violent gales, snowstorms and is often shrouded in fog. Early seafarers called it the “Graveyard of the Gulf” due to the vast numbers of ships and countless lives that were lost along its shores.

Billy moved to St. Paul Island with his parents and younger sister in September of 1955. For the next five years they lived at the southwest light station in almost total isolation. His family quickly learned to cope in a world without neighbours, electricity, schools, or any sports activities. They lived off the land – hunting ducks along the coast, berry picking, and jigging cod on the sea. Almost daily there were hardships to overcome and problems to be resolved. Life on the island was one of both tragedy and triumph. Billy tells his story of survival on that lonely rock. Sense the lush green of the island in summer in the midst of a crystal blue sea and feel the harshness of winter while buried under snow and surrounded by drift ice.

Share with Billy the excitement of unexpected guests, the arrival of a supply ship as well as the sadness of sickness and loss. Experience the many technical problems such as a fire in the lighthouse and learn how the entire family worked together to restore service.

Genres: Nonfiction

186 pages, Paperback

First published September 25, 2003

Reviews

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Billy Budge was just the right boy for this adventure!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've ever wanted to know what it would be like to live on an isolated island with no electricity and just the sound of the waves to keep you company, you'll love this book. Billy Budge and his family spent five years on St. Paul Island, which is located on the Gulf of St. Lawrence between Cape Breton and Newfoundland. Budge's father was the lightkeeper on this remote island. His narrative is so real that you can almost hear the waves along the rocks and the see the fog rolling in. He tells of the family's various adventures from his mother's gas-powered washing machine to his father's handmade sled built from driftwood. In my favorite chapter, Budge explains the process of hoisting the 750-lb lens out of the housing to make repairs caused by a fire. The family worked used a series of pulleys, made the repair and gently lowered it back into its bowl of mercury. The reader learns of this family's strength and fortitude, the loneliness and family ties that made this experience a character-building experience for Budge and his family.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author’s family moved to an island lighthouse at the mouth of the St Lawrence River in Nova Scotia when he was about 7 years old in 1955. The lighthouse was very isolated with supplies delivered four times a year and difficult seas and poor landing area preventing access. There was no electricity (the light was powered by some difficult process that I only vaguely understood), no running water, and only radio contact.

I was quite taken with the description of life on the island, especially the expectations placed on a young boy of seven. He loved the responsibilities and life on the island. His father was able or at least willing to take on any task and relished figuring out how to fix things or at least make something do. It reminded me very much of Roy. He would have loved the book and would have found life on the island wonderful (me, not so much, I fear).

[Lee Manning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look into life on an essentially uninhabited island off Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Thanks to our recent visit to Canada's Maritime Provinces, places and environment of this area were familiar to us. This is essentially an account of several years in the life of a preteen boy thrust into this position by family need, and his view of the adventure that became their subsistence and survival. The true life and death nature of their day to day struggle is made more real by the naivete of the boy's point of view.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

easily memorable for me....outsiders may not get the true picture of it all with the remoteness of the area....

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true story about growing up on a very remote island in Eastern Canada -- Ranging from humorous to horrifying, this story is heartfelt and written with an original voice.

[Gossymotto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Billy Budge had the childhood most kids could only dream of, although for some, this would have been their worst nightmare I guess. For me, I'm in the first camp. To live on a remote island with little to no human interference. Just mom, dad, little sister and a few pets, going fishing and duck hunting, exploring the island, helping with the chores. A hard but simple lifestyle with no human egos or attitudes to deal with. If someone offered this lifestyle to me today, I would jump at it in a heartbeat.

I really enjoyed reading this story told from the perspective of child, but written once he was a senior. Thank you Billy Budge, for sharing your childhood with us.

[Mary-Jane Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book so much. What a different life and time on this island.

[Penniless · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touching and real. One of my top 10 favourites that I've ever read.

[Tyler Larade · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last phrase in the book is soooo good. Interesting read. I enjoyed the bit of history right at the beginning too.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sentimental and enjoyable book about a boy and his family in an isolated island off Nova Scotia.
Father was charged with attending to a Lighthouse.

Well written, easy to read. A childhood cherished...

[Sespe · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this in cape breton at peters farm with jasper :)