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her schoolmates and bought a tombstone
engraved with an anchor and two oars.
Installed in 1913, it bears this message:
Ida Lewis
Grace Darling of America
Keeper of Lime Rock Lighthouse
Newport Harbor
Born Feb 25, 1842
Died Oct 24, 1911
Erected by her many kind friends

Since her death, the United States Coast

Guard has also paid tribute to Ida. They

christened a search and rescue ship the Ida

Lewis and have taken over the task of preserv-

ing her resting place. In 2018, a road through

Arlington National Cemetery was named

Lewis Drive in Ida’s honor, the first of the

park’s forty roads to be named for a woman.

The keeper known as “the bravest woman in

America” will not be forgotten.

Lighthouses
Until the twentieth century
brought modern aids to naviga-
tion such as radar and sonar,
ship captains used the stars
to map their course. In fog or
stormy weather, they sailed
blindly. Lighthouses were placed
in spots where ships could easily
be wrecked because of shal-
low water, rock formations, or
treacherous currents. A shining
lighthouse beacon was often the
only warning of danger a captain would get.
Many lighthouses were far from land. Loneliness was said to be the
most diff icult part of the job. The Lewises were fortunate in that Lime Ro k
Lighthouse was only a few hundred yards offshore. In good weather, Ida’
younger brothers and sister could attend school. The family could partici
in church and holiday events in Newport.
Some lighthouses are still in use, but few have live-in keepers. Elect
lights operating on timers eliminate the need for constant attention.

ock

s

pate

ric

Lime Rock Lighthouse,

with Ida standing

beneath its light

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