 On March 11, 1931, Henry Sterling, keeper of the Solomons Lump Light, noticed that the light at Holland Island Bar was not lit.Having no radio, he had to wait until he was able to flag down a passing ship for help.Sterling eventually attracted the attention of the crew of the "Winnie and Estelle", whose first mate, H. J. Garner, agreed to go out to the lighthouse and investigate.