20 Facts About Ida Lewis: History’s Most Heroic Lighthouse Keeper

Ida Lewis was put in charge of the lighthouse after her father, Captain Hosea Lewis suffered a stroke and could no longer perform his duties.

Not only did Ida Lewis along with her mother tend to their lighthouse work. They also helped nurse her sick father.

Ida Lewis performed her very first rescue at only 12. She saved the lives of four boys when their boat capsized.

When Ida Lewis saved the lives of two sheep owners, she also saved the life of the sheep they had with them.

Ida Lewis performed some impressive feats while being a lighthouse keeper. Yet her bravery went unnoticed until 1869.

After she gained notoriety for saving the lives of two soldiers and a teenager, Ida Lewis was awarded a silver medal from The Life Saving Benevolent Association of New York.

She also was given a Gold Lifesaving Medal from the United States government.

In the span of her career, Ida Lewis saved a total of 18 people. One of those people was her own uncle who went overboard when he was returning from a fishing trip.

Ida Lewis earned a total of $750.00 per year for her heroism. Needless to say, $750.00 was a lot of money back then.

Ida Lewis was given $30.00 a month from the Carnegie Hero Fund for her valiant efforts.

Ms. Lewis feats of bravery caught the attention of President Grant and his V.P Schuyler Colfax. They paid her a visit in 1869.

Due to the fact that her father was sick and her mother was the one actually in charge of the lighthouse, Ida used to take her siblings to school every day in a rowboat.

Lewis also saved many people from drowning in the cold ocean. Naturally, she was considered one of the best swimmers in her area.

Yes, even heroines deal with sexism. Ida Lewis had some people criticize her feats, calling it un-ladylike.

Lewis chimed back at these critics saying, “None-but a donkey would consider it ‘un-feminine’, to save lives.”

Lewis’ bravery earned her many admirers who gave her gifts, money, and even proposals of marriage!

Ida Lewis saved many people and had many admirers. However, despite all this, she was never one to “brush her shoulder off.:”

She married Captain William Wilson in 1870. Sadly, the marriage only lasted for two years before they separated.

Some of these pieces of music included the Ida Lewis Waltz and the Rescue Polka Mazurka.

Lewis Rock Lighthouse was originally called Lime Rock Lighthouse.

Lewis was the first woman to have a road named after her. She received this honor in 2018, 107 years after her death.

At 63, she saved a group of women lost at sea. Ida passed away from a stroke shortly after. She is still remembered today for her bravery and selflessness.