Martha's Vineyard

Records indicate that the people of Martha's Vineyard Island in Massachusetts were engaged in whaling as early as 1653, cutting up "drift whales." In the 19th century the Massachusetts towns of New Bedford, Nantucket and Edgartown were three of the busiest whaling ports in the state, if not the country. By 1775 the whaling vessels of Edgartown were realizing $150,000 a year from the industry. It was a dangerous industry.

Cape Poge Light was built in 1802, the second lighthouse on Martha's Vineyard. John Adams, our country's second President, signed the order authorizing a light on the northern tip of Chappaquiddick Island. It was more of a navigation aid to Nantucket mariners than Vineyarders. Even today a keeper and family would find it a remote place in which to live year round. Although it is within easy sight of Edgartown, the shire town of the county, before four-wheel-drive vehicles it could be as much as a full days trip to town and back.

It was a Nantucket Politican, Peleg Coffin, Esq., who in 1796 wrote to his Congressman in Washington suggesting that "the convenience and interest of Nantucket" would be promoted if the Federal Government would build a lighthouse at Gay Head. Nobody on the Vineyard seemed interested.