Atlantic City in Atlantic County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

USCS Steamer Robert J. Walker / Assistant Keepers' Dwelling

USCS Steamer Robert J. Walker side of the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 22, 2022

1. USCS Steamer Robert J. Walker side of the marker

Inscription.

USCS Steamer Robert J. Walker, also, Assistant Keepers' Dwelling. . USCS Steamer Robert J. Walker 1874 - 1860. More than 153 years after it was lost in a violent collision at sea, the wreck of the steamer Robert J. Walker was identified 12 miles off Absecon Lighthouse by maritime archaeologists. While now largely forgotten, the steamer served a vital role as a survey ship for the U.S. Coast Survey, charting the Gulf Coast , including Mobile Bay and the Florida Keys , in the decade before the Civil War. It also conducted early work plotting the movement of the Gulf Stream along the Atlantic coast. Twenty-one sailors died when the Robert J. Walker sank in rough seas in the early morning hours of June 21, 1860. In 2014, the shipwreck was listed on the National Register of Historic Places., In Memory of the Officers and Crew of the U.S. Coast Survey Steamer Robert J. Walker, lost on June 21, 1860, off Absecon Inlet Michael Allman, Seaman . Joseph Bates, Second Class Fireman . Marcus Bonevento, Officers' Steward . John M. Brown, Captain of the After Guard . Essex D. Cochran, Quartermaster . Jeremiah Coffey, Cooper . Peter Conway, First Class Fireman . Cornelius Crow, Ordinary Seaman . John Driscoll, Seaman . James Farren, Second Class Fireman . John Farren, Second Class Fireman . George W. Johnston, Landsman . Michael M. Lee, Cook . Charles Miller, Ordinary Seaman . Timothy Connor, Quarter Gunner . James Patterson, Officers' Cook . George Price, Second Class Fireman . Henry H. Reed, Captain of the Forecastle . Samuel Sizer, First Class Fireman . Daniel Smith, First Class Fireman . Robert Wilson, Seaman, Assistant Keepers' Dwelling When Absecon Lighthouse was first lit in 1857, a principal keeper and assistant keeper lived on site with their families. The dwelling for an assistant keeper was built during the original Lighthouse construction. Interior alterations in 1887 converted the building to accommodate two assistant keepers and their families. Further exterior alterations were completed in 1893, giving the two families more space and privacy. The assistant keepers' dwelling was demolished in the 1940s, along with the principal keeper's dwelling.,

The assistant keepers are crowded in a building about 25 feet square, so planned that it is impossible to have any privacy. From this cause, during the heat of summer, the keepers are subject to great inconvenience and discomfort. Another building should be erected at this station so that the keepers can live with their families in at least as much comfort as can be had by skilled workmen in cities., A keeper's dwelling sufficient for their accommodation can be erected for $4,000, and it is recommended that an appropriation of this amount be made for that purpose., The Annual Report of the Lighthouse Board, 1891

[Captions:] This photograph, taken before 1892, shows both of the original dwellings on the site., In 1897 the keeper's dwelling had not yet been enlarged but the assistant keepers' dwelling had been expanded to accommodate two families. Collection of Elinor Veit, This view of the assistant keepers' dwelling was taken after 1897. Note that the daymark has been changed on the tower. Collection of the Atlantic County Historical Society.

USCS Steamer Robert J. Walker
1874 - 1860 More than 153 years after it was lost in a violent collision at sea, the wreck of the steamer Robert J. Walker was identified 12 miles off Absecon Lighthouse by maritime archaeologists. While now largely forgotten, the steamer served a vital role as a survey ship for the U.S. Coast Survey, charting the Gulf Coast — including Mobile Bay and the Florida Keys — in the decade before the Civil War. It also conducted early work plotting the movement of the Gulf Stream along the Atlantic coast. Twenty-one sailors died when the Robert J. Walker sank in rough seas in the early morning hours of June 21, 1860. In 2014, the shipwreck was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In Memory of the Officers and Crew of the U.S. Coast Survey Steamer Robert J. Walker, lost on June 21, 1860, off Absecon Inlet
Michael Allman, Seaman • Joseph Bates, Second Class Fireman • Marcus Bonevento, Officers' Steward • John M. Brown, Captain of the After Guard • Essex D. Cochran, Quartermaster • Jeremiah Coffey, Cooper • Peter Conway, First Class Fireman • Cornelius Crow, Ordinary Seaman • John

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Driscoll, Seaman • James Farren, Second Class Fireman • John Farren, Second Class Fireman • George W. Johnston, Landsman • Michael M. Lee, Cook • Charles Miller, Ordinary Seaman • Timothy Connor, Quarter Gunner • James Patterson, Officers' Cook • George Price, Second Class Fireman • Henry H. Reed, Captain of the Forecastle • Samuel Sizer, First Class Fireman • Daniel Smith, First Class Fireman • Robert Wilson, Seaman

Assistant Keepers' Dwelling
When Absecon Lighthouse was first lit in 1857, a principal keeper and assistant keeper lived on site with their families. The dwelling for an assistant keeper was built during the original Lighthouse construction. Interior alterations in 1887 converted the building to accommodate two assistant keepers and their families. Further exterior alterations were completed in 1893, giving the two families more space and privacy. The assistant keepers' dwelling was demolished in the 1940s, along with the principal keeper's dwelling.

The assistant keepers are crowded in a building about 25 feet square, so planned that it is impossible to have any privacy. From this cause,
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 22, 2022

2. Assistant Keepers' Dwelling side of the marker
during the heat of summer, the keepers are subject to great inconvenience and discomfort. Another building should be erected at this station so that the keepers can live with their families in at least as much comfort as can be had by skilled workmen in cities.

A keeper's dwelling sufficient for their accommodation can be erected for $4,000, and it is recommended that an appropriation of this amount be made for that purpose.

The Annual Report of the Lighthouse Board, 1891

[Captions:]
This photograph, taken before 1892, shows both of the original dwellings on the site.

In 1897 the keeper's dwelling had not yet been enlarged but the assistant keepers' dwelling had been expanded to accommodate two families. Collection of Elinor Veit

This view of the assistant keepers' dwelling was taken after 1897. Note that the daymark has been changed on the tower. Collection of the Atlantic County Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Disasters • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses, and the Lost at Sea series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is June 21, 1860.

Location. 39° 21.983′ N, 74°

USCS Steamer Robert J. Walker / Assistant Keepers' Dwelling Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 22, 2022

3. USCS Steamer Robert J. Walker / Assistant Keepers' Dwelling Marker

24.844′ W. Marker is in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in Atlantic County. Marker is at the intersection of South Vermont Avenue and Pacific Avenue, on the right when traveling south on South Vermont Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 Pacific Ave, Atlantic City NJ 08401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Life-Saving Station (a few steps from this marker); Lighthouse History / Absecon Lighthouse Facts (a few steps from this marker); Absecon Lighthouse (a few steps from this marker); 44th National Encampment Grand Army of the Republic (within shouting distance of this marker); Keeper’s Dwelling / Lightkeepers of Absecon Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Chronology (within shouting distance of this marker); The Whaling Bark Stafford (within shouting distance of this marker); Edna Patricia Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlantic City.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 23, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 119 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 23, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.