Lighthouses and Lights of Nova Scotia: A Complete Guide

Richard Wilbur is author of The Rise of French New Brunswick and H.H.
Stevens, 1878–1973, and co-author of Silver Harvest: The Fundy
Weirmen’s Story. His latest book is Horse-Drawn Carriages and Sleighs:
Elegant Vehicles from New England and New Bruns

This author gives new meaning to the term “research.” Not only has
he studied the history of all 168 lighthouses, together with their
original cost, subsequent repairs, and technical specifications, but in
each case he has mentioned the names of all those who kept these lights.
Furthermore, over the 17 years that he has been gathering his material,
he has photographed each and every light and ends each article with
detailed instructions on how, when, and where anyone can visit them.

Featuring crisp photos on virtually every page, this study is one of
the best boosters Nova Scotia tourism will ever have. Irwin and his
editors have divided the province’s lighthouses into six colour-coded
areas for easy reference. His clear writing style is another plus, as is
the wealth of detail on each light’s distinctive history and wonderful
vignettes on the lonely and sometimes dangerous lives of those who kept
the lights. Despite such drawbacks and often meagre pay, many of the
lighthouse keepers and their wives (many of whom took over as widows)
stayed on for decades, often handing over the job to their sons and
grandsons.

It is difficult to emphasize specific lighthouses—they all have
fascinating histories—but Sambro Island light, the first in Canada,
warrants its four pages and four photos. The facilities on Sable Island
come next with three pages. Throughout his account, Irwin lists when
each facility was de-staffed and automated, and often details the
ongoing neglect of these prime examples of Nova Scotia’s and
Canada’s marine history. He concludes with a glossary, a bibliography,
and an index listing each light alphabetically with cross-reference to
the Coast Guard numbering system.

Not surprisingly, Irwin is a founding member and former president of
the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society. He deserves membership
to the Order of Canada.