When visiting a lighthouse, I always poke around and reflect on the idea that they were part of a larger mission. In some cases they still are. That mission being lifesaving.



The mission of lighthouses and lifesaving falls under the United States Coast Guard. That is today. In years past there were different services. One was the US Lighthouse Service and the other being the US Lifesaving Service. These services and the Revenue Cutter Service began merging in 1910. By 1915, the US Coast Guard had formed and the lighthouse responsibility followed.



Like the history of the services themselves, the individual facilities performed these functions. In these photos, the sturdy beams in the sand were part of Watch Hill's Lifesaving station. This station served with distinction until 1947. This is where those vessels launched.



I have spent a lifetime on the water. I have performed rescues. So, I have to stop and pay my respect to those brethren who launched from here. The piers remain so that we remember.



(Note: Select any photo to see in its portfolio in a larger format).

 



Lifesaving Remnant





Lifesaving RemnantLifesaving station remnants from the one-time station at the Watch Hill Lighthouse facility at Westerly, Rhode Island. This is where they launched the boats that rendered assistance and rescue.









Station Remnant





Station RemnantLifesaving station remnants from the one-time station at the Watch Hill Lighthouse facility at Westerly, Rhode Island. This is where they launched the boats that rendered assistance and rescue.









Lifesaving station remnants from the one-time station at the Watch Hill Lighthouse facility at Westerly, Rhode Island. This is where they launched the boats that rendered assistance and rescue.



Watch Hill Geodetic Survey Mark





Watch Hill Geodetic Survey MarkThe US Coast & Geodetic Survey Bench Mark near the former US Coast Guard Lifesaving Station at Watch Hill, Westerly, Rhode Island









The US Coast & Geodetic Survey Bench Mark near the former US Coast Guard Lifesaving Station at Watch Hill, Westerly, Rhode Island.



© Keith R Wahl, Made From RI/Made From RI Gallery, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Keith R Wahl and Made From RI/Made From RI Gallery with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.



Photo from our Made From RI Gallery portfolio display "Seascapes/Shoreline" (all photos are available as prints, canvas wraps, framed works, cards, or many other formats).