Marcus Hanna (lighthouse keeper)

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Marcus Hanna.

Marcus A. Hanna (1842-1921) was an American lighthouse keeper famous for his heroism.

Hanna was born in Bristol, Maine, the son of the keeper of the Franklin Island Light. He spent his early years at the station before going off to sea at the age of ten. By 18 he had risen to the position of ship's steward. When the American Civil War began, Hanna enlisted, serving in the Navy for one year before being mustered out. He spent the remainder of the war fighting with various volunteer regiments. He saw action in 1863 at Port Hudson, Louisiana while serving as a Sergeant with the 50th Massachusetts Infantry. During the engagement Hanna volunteered to carry water behind the lines to the remainder of his company. This was the heaviest action he was to see during the war.

Hanna was appointed keeper of the Pemaquid Point Light in 1869. In 1873 he was transferred to Cape Elizabeth Light, where he served as head keeper. It was here, on January 28, 1885, that he saved two sailors from the schooner Australia which had wrecked on the rocks below the station.

Hanna was awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal in 1885 for saving the two sailors. He also received the Medal of Honor in 1895, in recognition of his bravery at Port Hudson. In addition, the United States Coast Guard has named a buoytender in his honor.