White Island
photo by Denise Wheeler
White and Seavey islands in New Hampshire are a single mass of chiseled rock and scant vegetation that have different names because twice a day the high tide separates them.
They are the southernmost of the Isles and have a combined area of about 13 acres.
White Island is home to the White Island Lighthouse, which went into service in 1821. Originally a stone tower encased in wooden shingles with an accompanying keepers’ cottage and walkway, the lighthouse was rebuilt as a 58-foot brick tower in 1859.
19th century author Celia Thaxter, now recognized as one of the foremothers of American nature writing, lived on White Island as a child in the 1840s when her father was the lighthouse keeper. Her journals, poetry and prose tell the tales of shipwrecks, powerful storms, and the challenges of living in isolation. They also pay homage to the wonders of the flora, fauna and natural beauty of the Isles.
White Island Light is an icon of New Hampshire’s maritime history. It is the state’s only offshore lighthouse. Automated since 1986, it has been an Aid to Navigation for more than 200 years.
In 1993, White Island ownership was transferred to the N.H. State Parks system. Now considered “a state park,” the island can be visited by boat. Though officially unstaffed, volunteer stewards tending to the island during summer will show visitors who arrive by boat around.
White Island is named after an early Shoals’ resident.
For more information visit
lighthousefriends.com
lighthousekids.com
nhstateparks.com
“I considered it a significant achievement when I was able to get on Seavey a few years ago. It meant landing on White, which is difficult, then having the timing right in two ways: that it was the end of the tern season, without thousands of screaming birds; that it happened (unplanned) to be low tide for crossing to Seavey. And even though we told ourselves to watch the clock, there was already a foot of water running when we came back (very carefully).”
— Jim Cerny
