The lighthouse standing at Point La Haye may not be as beautiful as the original with it’s open-frame aluminum style, but I do enjoy the post-apocalyptic vibes, similar to the Point Verde Lighthouse. There may not be as many features or colour anymore, but it serves it’s purpose and holds a colorful history.
The original lighthouse at Point La Haye was erected in 1883 and the first lightkeeper is listed as Patrick Mooney (who was later replaced by his brother, John Mooney). The tower was made from cast iron, painted with the lovely red and white stripes, and featured a crow’s nest, lantern room with triangular window panes, and appears to of had a small wooden dwelling attached.
A foghorn was added in 1925 and consisted of a light and two kerosene-run engines. This prompted extra work since the kerosene oil needed to be lit and filled for both the lighthouse and the foghorn at intervals throughout the day and night. An assistant light keeper, Patrick Vail, was assigned to handle the job for a period of time.
“Around 1930 a new building was constructed combining two dwellings under one roof. Joseph Breen replaced Patrick Vail as assistant lightkeeper, John Mooney retired, and Reginald Mooney (son of John Mooney) became assistant to Joseph Breen. This was the beginning of two large families (twenty-five children raised at the lighthouse)”.
Fun Fact: Before becoming a lightkeeper here at Point La Haye, Joseph Breen served in WWI.
It’s also stated that Joseph and his wife, Catherine, hosted supper at the lighthouse for the young men going off to serve in WWII. “After bidding farewell at the Government Wharf in St. Mary’s to the young men, Joseph came back to the lighthouse and watched as the ship carrying the young men pass by the light, with tears in his eyes he prayed to God to bring them home safe”.
In 1985, the wooden lighthouse at Point La Haye, and both dwellings, were replaced by what we see today. The lantern room has rectangular windows now instead of the triangular ones, and the crow’s nest is square instead of round. The present tower is surrounded by a chain fence but I managed to snap some decent photos through the chain links. The fog horn can still be seen on site and I believe it to be operational.
I had a good time walking around the fence and sizing up the tower. It was a pleasure reading about this site and learning about the families that lived here. The current Point La Haye lighthouse may appear boring or dull, but once you learn it’s history you begin to appreciate all of the people and work that came before it. Plus, like all of the other lighthouses here in Newfoundland, their main purpose is to lead mariners safely to shore, so, it truly doesn’t matter much what the tower looks like so long as it’s functional.
Until next time…
Whoa Dana 