The lighthouse keeper's daughter : the remarkable true story of American heroine Ida Lewis

"The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter is the absorbing, painstakingly researched story of Ida Lewis and the fearless rescues she made at Lime Rock Lighthouse in Newport, Rhode Island. Born in 1842, Ida began tending the light at age fifteen after her father, the keeper of the light, was disabled by a stroke. When her father died in 1872, Ida's mother assumed the role of lighthouse keeper but Ida continued to do the work. Then when her mother died in 1879, Ida was officially appointed to the job, where she remained until her death in 1911. Ida is credited with saving at least eighteen lives during her nearly forty years on the tiny island in Newport Harbor. She became famous nationwide in the late 1860s after one of her daring rescues, and the town of Newport celebrated her on Independence Day 1869. In 1924, the Rhode Island legislature officially changed the name of Lime Rock Lighthouse to Ida Lewis Lighthouse. In 1928, all but a portion of Lime Rock used for the light tower was sold to yachtsmen who preserved the historic house and established the Ida Lewis Yacht Club. In 1995, a Coast Guard buoy tender was named for her."-- Provided by the publisher This is the absorbing, painstakingly researched story of Ida Lewis, born in Newport, Rhode Island in 1842, and the fearless rescues she made at Lime Rock Lighthouse. Her father, Captain Hosea Lewis, became the first keeper of Lime Rock Lighthouse in 1853. But after he was disabled by a stroke, then-fifteen-year-old Ida and her mother took over the tending of the Lime Rock Light from 1857 until 1872, when her father died. Her mother was appointed lighthouse keeper and remained in this position until she died in 1879, even though Ida continued to do the work. In 1879, Ida was officially appointed to the job, which she remained in until her death in 1911. Ida is credited with saving at least eighteen lives during her nearly forty years on the tiny island in Newport Harbor. She became famous nationwide in the late 1860s after one of her daring rescues, and the town of Newport celebrated her on Independence Day 1869. In 1924 the Rhode Island legislature officially changed the name of Lime Rock to Ida Lewis Rock. In 1995, a new class of Coast Guard buoy tenders was named for her Propelled to notoriety In the beginning The first rescue The summer of 1869 Keeping the wick The rescues continue : the second, third, and fourth Losing heart A solitary life (1881-1911) In death, beloved Epilogue: Ida Lewis Lighthouse. The amazing story of a heroic woman-the keeper of Lime Rock Lighthouse in Newport, Rhode Island.