ABBIE Burgess lived at the Martinicus Rock lighthouse, Maine, with her parents and siblings. A supply boat was supposed to have visited the lighthouse in September 1855 and when it had not appeared by January 1856, lightkeeper Burgess decided to row to the mainland for fresh supplies. He left 17-year-old Abbie in charge because she was au fait with the lighthouse workings. Her mother was an invalid. There were two lighthouses on Martinicus Rock and Abbie had to attend to both in her father’s absence. While he was away terrific seas lashed the island and at one stage she took the family to one of the lighthouse towers to ensure its safety. Burgess took four weeks to get back to Martinicus Rock, but his daughter had managed to keep the lighthouses operating in what became known as an act of heroism.

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