Donald E. Eckels

Since storms never cease driving ships on conveninet rocks, the need for at least a temporary light to mark the rocks of Cohasset was clearly indicated. Until a new, permanent tower could be constructed, the government stationed a lightship off Minots Ledge. When the storm of 1851 subsided, the steam tugboat R. B. Forbes was fitted with a temporary illuminant and anchored half a mile north of the Outer Minot in 15 fathoms of water [90 feet] to serve as a lightship. On April 20 another gale blew up of such intensity that the temporary lightship was forced to withdraw into Boston Harbor.