Coast Guard Wants Fresnel Lens Back
By Sue Clark on Jun 22, 2008 in News, Opinion 
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First Order Lens Used As Fairgrounds Display
Humboldt County (California) Fairgrounds is apparently home to a First Order Fresnel Lens, manufactured in France, that has been leased to the city of Ferndale since it was removed from Cape Mendocino Lighthouse in 1950. Regular CG inspections have not found anything untoward about this situation, at least not until recently. According to a story in the Times Standard, a Coast Guard housing resident, assigned to maintain records on west coast lighthouses, did a double take when he saw the priceless prism perched above the fairgrounds entrance. He took pictures, and told the fairgrounds manager that he would be contacted in regards to “managing” the rare work of art.
That was in 2006. A year and a half later, Titus said he received a call from a Washington, D.C. Coast Guard curator noting that there were concerns about the lens, including the possibility that the agency might want to take it back. An inspection is scheduled for Monday morning, June 23, to determine if the lens should stay where it’s at or be removed.
From the story:
Coast Guard Curator Arlyn Danielson confirmed Friday that the agency had concerns about how the valuable lens was being housed. She’s already sent a letter to Titus asking that certain steps be taken to safeguard the towering glass lens — including installing motion detection lights and an electronic security system, and upgrading the structure’s electrical wiring.
‘We are evaluating whether or not we want to allow the fairgrounds to keep it there or have it removed,” Danielson said.
The agency has issues with the construction materials used to build the Cape Mendocino Lighthouse replica and the condition of that structure.
“It doesn’t conform to our regulations and requirements for security and safety,” she said.
Entrance to Humboldt County Fairgrounds. Photo from Times-Standard
The lens was installed in a replica of the Lost Coast Lighthouse when the fairgrounds were remodeled. Danielson said that even though everything has been “hunky dory” for the past sixty years, doesn’t mean it’s okay.
It Gets Better (Or Rather Worse)…
Danielson also says that the Coast Guard does not allow lenses to be stored in lighthouse lantern rooms, because they’re exposed to environmental factors, such as the extremes of light and humidity, that can deteriorate lenses. In addition, the lens is not currently being displayed in a maritime situation, which is preferable, she stated.
Okay, maybe the keyword is “stored,” but there are plenty of Fresnel lenses, both active and inactive, “stored” in lighthouses around the world. And as long as the proper care is taken with them, they continue to serve and delight people all over the world. But wait, as if that’s not enough, Danielson reveals in the story that there is a potential buyer for this Fresnel, who has made an offer and has the money to restore this lens.
So Many Things Wrong Here
While I certainly agree the lens should not be stored where it’s susceptible to the weather, and more importantly, vandals, I do not see anything wrong with it being kept by Franklin County, as long as proper precautions are taken to protect it. At least it’s accessible (somewhat) to the public. I’d prefer to see it placed in a museum, where the curators, with proper training, can keep the light in good condition. But what I do not want to see, and I hope you don’t either, is that this jewel is taken away from the public and sold to someone who will add it to a private collection.
There Needs To Be a Public Outcry
Ms. Danielson’s superiors need to be pressured to put a stop to any potential sale of this gem, and to allow it to remain in public view. Depending on the outcome of the inspection, and the willingness of Ferndale to properly protect this irreplaceable lens, we need to get involved to preserve this for the public, and not for one person’s enjoyment. Lighthouse News will be following up on this story.
Photo Credit: Second Order lens on display at the Maine Lighthouse Museum by Sue Clark. Some rights reserved.
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July 1st, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Lighthouse News,
Thanks for your interest in the Fresnel Lens located in Ferndale, California.
As good stewards of taxpayers’ property we share your passion for the protection and preservation of all historical artifacts, including this First-Order Fresnel Lens.
Our interest is in ensuring the lens is kept in an environment that best preserves it for future generations to enjoy and we hope that Ferndale is able to provide that environment.
I can also tell you that there is no plan to, nor was there any discussion about, selling the lens to a private entity.
Our historian’s office did make inquiries to identify locations that could provide the proper environment to preserve this lens should it be necessary to move it from its current home in Ferndale. Again, as stewards of taxpayer property, it was prudent to begin developing a contingency plan should the need arise to move the lens to a new home. Our Training Center (TRACEN) in Petaluma, California, was identified as a potential home for the lens. The fact that our historian’s office informally sought suitable locations for the lens does not alter, in any way, the matter at hand, which is the ability and desire of Ferndale to provide an environment that meets the requirements for the proper preservation of a Coast Guard First Order Fresnel Lens.
I hope you and the members of your community find this information helpful and we will endeavor to provide updates for you as the situation warrants.
Very Respectfully,
Chris O’Neil
Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Coast Guard
Chief of Media Relations
christopher.t.o’neil@uscg.mil
July 1st, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Thank you for the reassurances that this lens will not be sold off into private hands. As I noted in the story, it is not in a suitable place right now, and should be given a proper home. Hopefully in Ferndale, but if not, somewhere that the general public will be able to see the amazing beauty of a First Order Fresnel lens.
Will the Petaluma training center make the lens available to the public? If not, a museum with a properly trained curator will be ideal. As you are aware, these lenses require tender loving care.
Thank you for taking time to respond, and please do let us know the final decisions on this matter.
July 19th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Thanks for your article. In preparation for our upcoming county fair event, the lens has been cleaned and looks better than ever. I’m working on the brass framework now. All of the electrical repairs have been completed. We also provided Ms. Danielson a copy of our insurance policy which provides ample coverage for the lens. We will continue to pursue movement sensitive lighting and full-time security systems, although we have concerns about implementing anything too fancy, as what we’ve had for 60 years has proven as effective as anything else. Thanks again for following the very interesting subject.
July 19th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
While I certainly agree with the county’s retention of this rare beauty, it does need more protection than it has now. Although what may have worked for the past sixty years is good enough for you, it’s also wise to remember this is a different world, and vandalism and wanton destruction of items like this are rampant. Insurance cannot cover the loss of one of these priceless lenses, no matter how much the amount. They are not made anymore, and yours is a rare beauty that should be in a protected environment, with trained curators to care for it. You can’t just slap some Windex on it to clean it. It needs to be done with special, lint free cloths, using a mild detergent, preferably Ivory Flakes. Else damage is caused to the putty holding it together. I certainly hope things work out for you being able to keep it, as it should not be sold into private hands, but it really does need special care and protection.