Lighthouse Moved From Cliff
By Sue Clark on Mar 10, 2009 in News 
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Wood Islands Lighthouse Saved By Move
Teetering precariously at the edge of a cliff, the Wood Islands Lighthouse, on Prince Edward Island, Canada, was moved about 230 feet back (70 meters) at first light today (March 10). This move sadly enough, didn’t get the media attention that Sankaty Lighthouse’s move did last year. But nevertheless, for lighthouse lovers everywhere, it was great to see another one saved from tumbling off into the Atlantic. And with the great amount of erosion at the site, it would have been inevitable.
This lighthouse marks the harbor entrance where the ferry from Nova Scotia lands, and is an interpretive museum to boot. The site is maintained by the Wood Islands Lighthouse Museum and Interpretive Center, and is a popular destination in the province. It lays claim to being the most photographed on P.E.I. Besides eleven themed rooms to wander through, the museum also runs a “Taste Our History” program, with a different historical food featured for sampling every day, with a special “surprise” treat on Saturdays.
The Mechanics of Moving
It took a tractor-trailer and a bulldozer to move the building and tower over the frozen March ground. Just like a standard house move, it was jacked up and placed on huge metal beams and placed on wheels. The move was given extra power via the bulldozer to help pull the building safely away from the cliff. It was done now to take advantage of the frozen ground, rather than waiting to warmer days.
The building was moved to a new foundation, where the process was reversed. There are some pictures at the story on cbc.ca.
Photo Credit: Wood Islands Lighthouse by cmh2315fl. Some rights reserved.
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