After waiting for a reasonable amount of time to hear back from the local police regarding an investigation into the breaking and entering and damage incurred on Chantry Island early this past week,  the Marine Heritage Society and Propeller Club volunteers decided action was needed before the possibility of inclement weather doing more damage.

A work crew went out to Chantry Island on Sunday morning to examine the damage and to see what repairs would be required. According to sources, the damage was extensive, but the site was secured by the volunteers.

 

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The garden tool-shed door was smashed and entered, the door to the historically restored 'privy' was damaged in the break in, the shed that contains the generator in the summer was damaged and entered, the newly built boathouse was damaged but, fortunately, the culprits did not get get in, thereby averting what may have resulted in destruction of the handcrafted Lap Strake boat.  The doors and windows of this building are protected by steel.

Things had been removed from some of the buildings however and thrown around the site.  The Lighthouse itself is very secure with a heavy steel door and the restored Keeper's House is protected by metal doors and windows that lock, when the site is not in use.

The original disturbance was reported by people on the beach  They are very vigilant as some of them participated in the restoration

This is not a case of graffiti being sprayed on buildings. This is not a case of mischief. This is a break and enter causing extensive damage. This was the destruction on a historical and protected property.

Chantry Island is now considered Town property with the added protection of the Bird Sanctuary.  It leased by the Marine Heritage Society, and, therefore, falls under the jurisdiction of local policing. The nearest police boat is in Goderich.  The Marine Heritage Society has boats available for service and investigation, if necessary. Their services have been used in the past for other duties.

This was the first incident since the Lighthouse restoration began in 1997 ... hopefully, it will be the last