The need
for a fog signal was identified,
following the grounding of the Boston-Bath steamer Ransom B. Fuller
in 1912, to alert ships of the dangerous double bend in the river
at Fiddler’s Reach and Doubling Point during periods of low visibilty.
A site was selected at a prominent point on the Kennebec about 1100
feet upstream from the Kennebec River Range Lights Keeper’s Residence
on ledgerock at the water’s edge. A small parcel of land, about 1/5
acre, with footpath right of way from the residence along the shore
of the river was purchased from the farmer Samuel Freeman in 1913.
Unfortunately, unlike the Range Lights, which have been well maintained
as active
navigation aids, the Fog Signal, having been abandoned some years ago,
has deteriorated. The Range Light Keepers began the preservation project
in 1998 by weatherproofing the building and stabilizing the structure.
Since then, interest in restoring the bell tower has grown. Recognizing
the importance of saving this historic structure, the community has
supported our efforts to rebuild it. Residents, skilled volunteers and
local businesses have made generous donations to this project. Together
with a modest matching grant from the Maine Historic Preservation Commission
through the New Century Community Program, a statewide cultural initiative
funded by the people of Maine, we have begun the restoration.
Once the important structural repairs are made, we will turn our attention
to the exterior details. We are very excited to begin this phase of
the project because we can easily visualize the elegant and classic
form of the bell tower perched on its granite outcrop with the impressive
bell hanging over the swift current. We will then replace the cedar
shingles so that the stark white form sits in sharp contrast to the
dark green pines that loom above it. The view from the river on a warm
summer day will once again be a fine sight.
Our final goal is to restore the bell striker apparatus and clockwork
in order to be a complete demonstration of a mechanical fog signal.
It will serve as an additional river attraction for many visitors to
enjoy on the Kennebec River. Please consider making a donation today
so that we may continue this worthwhile project.
Mail donations to:
Range
Light Keepers
58 Iron Mine Road
Arrowsic, ME 04530
Thanks to the following for donating time and materials:
Ed
Blaiklock Carpentry
Herb Hewlett
Art Dresser
John G. Morse & Sons Lumber
John Connolly
Paul Kalkstein
Peter Goodwin
John
Gordon, Gordon Builders
Mark Geiger, Preservation House Painters
Hammond Lumber
Fred Kahrl
Bill Fines, Historic Restoration Co.
Rogers Ace Hardware
Hancock Lumber
The Sherwin-Williams Company
This
Project has been made possible in part by a matching grant
from the Maine Historic Preservation Commission through the
New Century Community Program, a statewide cultural initiative
funded by the people of Maine.
The Ransom B. Fuller on the Rocks, 1912
Courtesy of Margaret Bertocci
following the grounding of the Boston-Bath steamer Ransom B. Fuller
in 1912, to alert ships of the dangerous double bend in the river
at Fiddler’s Reach and Doubling Point during periods of low visibilty.
A site was selected at a prominent point on the Kennebec about 1100
feet upstream from the Kennebec River Range Lights Keeper’s Residence
on ledgerock at the water’s edge. A small parcel of land, about 1/5
acre, with footpath right of way from the residence along the shore
of the river was purchased from the farmer Samuel Freeman in 1913. 
navigation aids, the Fog Signal, having been abandoned some years ago,
has deteriorated. The Range Light Keepers began the preservation project
in 1998 by weatherproofing the building and stabilizing the structure.
