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The last keeper was Arthur A. Small, who started his sea career at age 14 sailing with the Maine and Gloucester fishing fleets. Small and his wife Mabel served Palmer's Island Light from 1922 until the great hurricane of 1938. During the storm, Small was swept off the island while tending his duties. His wife attempted a rescue but was carried away in the storm surge and drowned. Though badly injured, Small managed to make his way to the lighthouse. When rescued the following day, he requested to be relieved of duty in accordance with the oath of the Lighthouse Service. Bureau of Lighthouses Chief H. D. King called Small's actions "one of the most outstanding cases of loyalty and devotion that has come to the attention of this office." Every structure on the island except for the lighthouse was washed away in the storm, and so it remains to this day.