Robert Hefner

We reached Montauk Light, and the end of our second day's tramp, a little after dark. Later in the evening we accompanied the keeper (Mr. Ripley) on a tour of inspection. Going through a passageway we found ourselves in the oil room, neatly paved with colored tiles, the oil being stored in large tanks on one side of the room. The ascent is by 137 steps, winding around the central shaft and the walls are of enormous thickness; the tower, erected in 1796, was some years since strengthened by building a solid brick lining inside the original structure.