The limelighters did make it funny - the cries for help were encouraged from the audience, and there was a play of humor on her father thinking her crazy to go out...

But actually, he never discouraged her and went out with her readily. Grace's life was ruined by the incident because the public held her up to be a great heroine, and they wouldn't let it rest. Same as nowadays when someone does a good deed.

There's another lighthouse keeper's daughter Ida Lewis who was similarly lionized for her having saved many lives. President Grant visited her and the government gave her a pension.

Well, there's more than you wanted to know!! Margo