Lighthouse News

Shipwreck Blamed on GPS Reliance

A report recently released by the Gibraltar Maritime Authority has once again proven to the world that navigation by Global Positioning Satellite alone can ruin your day. In mid-August, 2007, the lighthouse at Europa Point, in the Straits of Gibraltar, witnessed what could have been a tragedy when the Danish tanker Torm Gertrude, carrying 37,000 tons of gasoline, collided with the Panamanian flagged cargo ship New Flame, a bulker hauling scrap steel. The New Flame sustained major hull damage, leaving it half sunk in the straits. Her crew of 23 had to be removed from the vessel, and fortunately no one was injured. The photo at left shows the lighthouse and the New Flame as she lay with her bow submerged and resting on a reef.

Harsh Conditions No Deterrent to Group

The Persian Gulf is home to hundreds of lighthouses, most of which have been modernized. But what happened to those classic lenses and other Aids to Navigation (ATON)? Were they dumped over the side of the lighthouses, like so many US Fresnel lenses were tossed when the US Coast Guard took over? We’ll find out in this featured article from Steve Gronow of the Maritime Exchange Museum, as we go along with his group on a rescue mission to Bahrain. The Maritime Excahange Museum is located in Howell, Michigan, and is actively looking for large Lighthouse Fresnel Lenses and any related machinery including old fog signal equipment. See info at end of article.

Beacon Preservation Unable To Take Possession

Penfield Reef Lighthouse near Fairfield, Connecticut, is well known for being haunted by a past lighthouse keeper. But the haunting problem that is taking place right now is not being caused by “Ernie,” but by the State of Connecticut and the Town of Fairfield. Despite having been transferred to the non-profit Beacon Preservation in July, 2008, the directors of the organization have revealed the hindrances thrown in their way by the state, the town, and state Representative Thomas Drew, D-Fairfield. And with no response from the General Services Administration (GSA), there exists a very real possibility of Beacon Preservation spending time and money better meant for restoration and instead have this decided at the federal judicial level.

You Can’t Get There From Here

That’s a Maine saying, indicating that the road to somewhere is non-existent. And it applies to the offshore lighthouses, too. You’ve bought your lighthouse from the government, the money’s been paid, deeds have been issued, etc. You’re ready to start the restoration and make it into your summer home. Except your lighthouse is five miles offshore. Okay no problem, we’ve got a beautiful boat we can use to transport materials. Or we can hire that offshore construction company and their barge to transport materials. Well, maybe. There are a few more issues to deal with that you haven’t actually foreseen. Not the least of which is The Wait.

By Lonnie Haynes (A Former Inmate of the Rock)

Part two of: “Life on the Rock” - Tillamook Rock Lighthouse

By Lon Haynes (a former inmate of the Rock)

The first part of “Life on the Rock” covered my arrival, in this chapter I will attempt to describe getting used to daily life on the rock. Not your conventional duty station by any stretch of the imagination. For the most part, each day was pretty much like the day before it, uneventful, boring, drab. Daily cleaning of walls, floors, doors, etc. with periodic painting of walls, floors, doors, etc. Summertime provided a welcome change with outside of the building cleaning, and painting of walls, doors, and oiling the boom.

Lighthouse News is fortunate in being able to present this series from Lon Haynes, USCG, Ret., who served from 1953 to 1957 on the USCG Cutter Klamath, at Tillamook Rock Lighthouse and USCG Cutter Blackhaw. Now 72 years old, living in Vancouver, WA with his wife and retired from the heating and air conditioning trade, he is sharing his delightful stories, photos and newspaper clippings from a lost era in lighthouse keeping history. Lon and his wife have five children, ten grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

“Life on the Rock” - Tillamook Rock Lighthouse

By Lon Haynes (a former inmate of the Rock)

Donations Still Up, Says ALF and GLLKA

With the current money crunch and people tightening their purse strings, can Lighthouse non-profit groups survive in this current economic recession? At least two groups say yes they can. Bob Trapani, Executive Director of the American Lighthouse Foundation and Terry Pepper, Executive Director of the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association, both responded to a quick questionnaire asking a few questions on the state of the lighthouse preservation effort. Thanks to both for taking the time to respond.

A recent news release from Michigan Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow was recently posted here at Lighthouse News, announcing a new bill that would create funding for our historic lighthouses. The bill will benefit Michigan the most, because the grants will be doled out according to how many lighthouses each state has, and the Great Lake State has the most lighthouses of any state in the US. But where will this money come from? Surprisingly, the bill reaches back into the very beginnings of US lighthouses to find the funds.

Living In a Lighthouse - The Dream

Peace and privacy on an island in the middle of nowhere. Waves crashing outside your windows. The cry of seagulls. A tall tower symbolizing hope, strength and safety. What could be more perfect? A lot of people have the dream of living in a lighthouse. Almost as many search for a job as a lighthouse keeper. Can you buy a lighthouse home of your dreams? Well, yes. Is it truly the home of your dreams? Well, maybe not.