Memories of Keeper R. Powers

I noticed in the July issue that you were asking about lighthouse keeper R. W. Powers. On January 17, 1941, while stationed at Maine’s Kennebec River Coast Guard Station on Popham Beach, we were sent to nearby Perkins Island Lighthouse to assume the duty as keepers. The keeper at the time, R. W. Powers, had been taken to a hospital in nearby Bath, Maine, being very ill and unable to perform his duties as keeper. We were there for a month when Fred Osgood, who was being transferred from Fort Popham Lighthouse to Perkins Island, relieved us. I can’t remember what the outcome was but I never heard any more about keeper Powers.

Shirley Morong

Seeking information on Grinnell Minturn & Co.

Ancestors of my family, the Grinnells, were involved in the construction of lighthouses in New England in the mid-1800s. William Henry Grinnell and his firm Grinnell Minturn & Co. were initially involved in the shipbuilding and shipping industries of New Bedford, Massachusetts, but later I believe they were involved in building lighthouses.

My purpose for writing is to see if you could assist in helping the Grinnell Family Association identify those lighthouses that were constructed by Grinnell Minturn & Co.

Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.

F. Hugh Grinnell

Grinnell Family Association

10290 N. Alder Spring Dr.

Oro Valley, AZ 85737

Editor’s Reply:

If any of our readers can help, please write to Mr. Grinnell at the address shown. However, be sure to send us a copy for our files.