Dauphin Island, AL
Archive of Historical Data, Books, Maps
And Other Materials

Taken from News Pages, Sunday, September 20, 1953

The Five Lonley "Marooned" Painters Of Sand Island
"Historic Light At Mobile Bay Mouth"
Being Given New Dressing Of Black"
By ED LEE, Press Register Staff Reporter

-Click for larger image, Large photo, could be slow loading- Two New Orleans painters are pictured half-way to the top of Sand Island Lighthouse, repainting the 115-foot tall structure. They are Howard J. and Paul Tassin, cousins. They had removed the scaffolding when newsmen were at the light last week, but were working atop a fuel tank pictured way above the ground. The lighthouse has been repained black, so that it will stand out during the daylight.   -Click for larger image, Large photo, could be slow loading- Thomas Agos, one of the five painters redecorating the structure, is pictured at the top of the long staircase, examining the lens. At the upper right is shown the giant lens that reflect 4000 watts of light over the Gulf of Mexico, guiding ships safely into the Port of Mobile.

-Click for larger image, Large photo, could be slow loading- These circular iron steps extend from the ground to the top of 115 feet high Sand Island Light house. Painter Thomas Agos is pictured climbing the stairs. -Click for larger image, Large photo, could be slow loading- Painters' view from the observation deck atop Sand Ialnd Light House.

-Click for larger image, Large photo, could be slow loading- Paul Tassin, one of the five painters repainting the building, is pictured in the generator room, located at the base of the light. These two generators, aided by racks of storage batteries, provide the electricity for the 4000 watt light from the Sand Island Lighthouse. Mobile Coast Guardsmen make regular visits to the island to refuel the generators. -Click for larger image, Large photo, could be slow loading- John Joanos, the contractor who received the job of repainting Sand Island Lighthouse, is pictured in the battery room located at the base of the light. Three racks of batteries, like the one pictured, join two generators in supplying electricity for the light.