James Rankin (lighthouse keeper)

James Rankin
A photo of James Rankin from the US Coast Guard
Born (1844-02-20)February 20, 1844
Killashee County, Ireland
Died January 5, 1921(1921-01-05) (aged 76)[1]
Antioch, California
Burial place San Francisco National Cemetery
Nationality Irish
Other names James Rankin-Nagel
Alma mater Kings College, Pennsylvania
Occupation Lighthouse Keeper, Boatswain
Spouse(s) Nellie
Children Arthur and Edna Neva

James Rankin (18441921) was a lighthouse keeper in the United States.

A native of Killashee, County Longford, Ireland, Rankin emigrated to the United States in 1867. He served in the US Lighthouse Service as the keeper of East Brother Island Light in California from 1877 to 1878. He then transferred to Fort Point Light in San Francisco, where he remained for 40 years, until retiring in 1919. During his tenure he was credited with saving the lives of 18 people.[2]

Rankin died in Antioch, California, where he had moved soon after retiring.

In 1997, the United States Coast Guard named a 175 ft buoy tender USCGC James Rankin (WLM-555)[3] in his honor. Its homeport is Curtis Bay, Baltimore.[4]

References

  1. Meldahl, Nicole. "The Rankin-Nagel Family: A Portrait of Fort Point - Golden Gate National Recreation Area". U.S. National Park Service. National Park Service, Dept. of Interior. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  2. Veronico, Betty S. (2008). Lighthouses of the Bay Area. San Francisco, CA: Arcadia Pub. p. 64. ISBN 0738559431.
  3. The Naval Institute guide to combat fleets of the world 1998-1999 : their ships, aircraft, and systems. Baker, A. D. (Arthur David), 1941-, United States Naval Institute. Annapolis, Md.: Naval Institute Press. 1998. p. 1121. ISBN 1557501114. OCLC 39197386.
  4. "Coast Guard Cutter James Rankin to set historic buoy in Patapsco River". Coast Guard News. Bright Mountain Media, Inc. Retrieved 8 December 2017.


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