Today we will talk about a great presence of the 19th century, whose memory we find through the FRC of Kania Station.
The Abbie Burgess From Station Kania
Abbie Burgess Grant (1839–1892) was an American lighthouse keeper known for her bravery in tending the Matinicus Rock Light in Maine during a raging winter storm in 1856. She did so for nearly a month while her father, the head keeper, was away from the island. Her heroic actions attracted much attention and she was soon a popular heroine.
Biography
Abbie Burgess was the fourth of nine children of Samuel and Thankful (Phinney) Burgess, who moved with his invalid wife, a son, and several daughters to Matinicus Rock in 1853 to become its lighthouse tender. Although only 15, she soon took over duties of tending the lighthouse so that her father could fish which he sold in Rockland, Maine, 25 miles (40 km) away.
Gale of 1856
In January 1856, Samuel Burgess left Abbie, his wife, and her younger sisters to take care of the lighthouse while he went to obtain supplies in Rockland. The lighthouse cutter had not shown up for its September delivery, and food and oil for the light was running low. He charged Abbie with the care of both her family and the lighthouse.
Almost as soon as he had left, the wind shifted and a gale began. It blew for three days, with waves so high they overran the island with knee-deep water. The home intended for the family was completely washed away. Abbie and her sisters had to secure the windows of the lighthouse to keep the waves from breaking them in. The lower level flooded, and they were forced to seek refuge in the north lighthouse tower. Throughout this ordeal she kept the lighthouse light burning.
Even after the gale subsided, the waves were too treacherous for her father to return for another three weeks. The family subsisted on one cup of corn meal mush and one egg per day until Samuel Burgess was able to return with supplies.
And now, to understand more about the person who named the FRC of the Station Hikuelo
Teobold Rott– Well, to talk about the Hikuelo Station FRC today, I have Admiral Blackwell in front of me who graciously agreed to do this interview.
Allian Blackwell – Thank you for having me.
Teobold Rott – Admiral, what could you tell us about MCPO Lisa Danick as a person?
Allian Blackwell – Certainly, Master Chief Lisa Danick was a great coastie. She was full of spirit and worked hard. Once she was tasked of finding all rez zones in D3 though that sounds like a very tedious job. Wouldn’t of thought that with Lisa.
She popped all over the map and spoke with CO’s and crew. She made a wonderful map of rez zones, substations and stations for the group in D3. She was stationed at Danshire at the time.
Her bubbly personality was contagious and was always a joy to speak with. Lisa lived in a nursing home in Florida in real life.
Teobold Rott – That speaks of a person with great mettle and meticulous performance.
Allian Blackwell – she was hit by a drunk driver and was in a wheelchair.
Indeed.
And despite her disability she never let it get her down. At the time we were doing NACS, a training by the SL Marines. She wasn’t passing but she put in hours and hours of learning and practice and she did pass. She just didn’t give up.
Teobold – I Understand
Allian Blackwell – After that she transferred to RTC as an instructor and one of her first SR’s was Donatella Mitchell, our G9.
Teobold Rott – Between what dates did Lisa serve at SLCG?
Allian Blackwell – Her and Dona remained friends even after RTC. That’s how Lisa was, if you were her friend you were her friend for life
Teobold Rott – *nods*
Allian Blackwell – She loved RTC and training SR’s.
Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with Diabetes and her health failed and she could no longer spend the time in SL that she wanted to. She retired and once tried to return. It was after that she found out she had cancer as well, It was a lot to handle for her.
Teobold Rott – *nods*
Teobold– Admiral?
Allian Blackwell – yes?
Teobold – How do you or the CoC make the decision to name an FRC in her honor?
Allian Blackwell – Well, we decided awhile back when some of our members passed, if they were coasties that loved our group we would name FRC’s after them.
Teobold – I understand
Allian Blackwell -The decision to name one after Lisa was unanimous among all Command.
Teobold Rott – awesome
Allian Blackwell -the AC, COS and DCO’s and of course myself. Lisa was an example to follow.
Teobold -I can see that.
Allian Blackwell – It doesn’t matter about rank or billet.
Teobold – To end this short interview, is there anything you would like to add for
our Coasties?
Allian Blackwell – Well, I want them to know that rank and billet are things we achieve but your heart about our mission and our group and what you do with it, shows so much.
We have quite a few like Lisa, no matter what struggles you have in life, SLCG provides a venue to succeed with your heart and inspiration inside of you like Lisa, like so many.
Teobold – Lisa is a standard to follow.
Allian Blackwell – Yes, I would think so and it was more than rank or billet. She was only a RTC Instructor but she was so much more to the group.
Teobold – Thank you very much Admiral, this ends our first interview with the senior leadership of SLCG.
Allian Blackwell – You are so welcome.
- Reporter : Teobold Rott