U.S. Lighthouse Service Discharge
Certificate,
Circa 1904
Historic Documents of the Lighthouse Service
Discharge Certificate, Light-House Board Form 77, dated 30 June 1904
The following document was donated to the Coast Guard Historian's Office by Ms. Jean McCann, the granddaughter of Emil A. Mansika, the Lighthouse Service employee who received this document on 30 June 1904 [?] after 3 months and 24 days of service aboard Light Vessel No. 34. He was discharged "by reason of his own request" and his character was "Good."
Mr. Mansika, who was born in Norway, had a long career at sea. He later wrote of his time aboard the light vessel: "My first job in America was as A.B. Seaman onboard a Charleston Lightship #34. I was there four months and had plenty ruling, but the American way of living and liberty were there. I enjoyed those four months very much."
We are grateful to Ms. McCann for donating this document.
Discharge certificate of the U.S. Lighthouse Service
Close-up of the Official Seal of the U.S. Lighthouse Service: