Lighthouse News

Winter’s Icy Grip Doesn’t “Freeze” Restoration Plans at Pemaquid Point Lighthouse

A nice press release from the American Lighthouse Foundation. But notable mainly for this gorgeous photo of the lighthouse by Bob Trapani, Jr. (Click for larger size).

The American Lighthouse Foundation (ALF) and Friends of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse (FPPL) have remained busy through winter 2008-09 planning needed restoration projects at the lighthouse, which will help keep the historic tower looking great and standing strong well into the future. From rehabilitating the tower’s lantern and exterior entryway to repointing the interior brickwork and addressing general maintenance needs, ALF & FPPL is actively preparing scopes of work and associated project costs.

Lighthouse Preservation Funded in 2009 Budget

What a week of controversy leading up to the passage of the 2009 Spending Bill, aka the 2009 Budget. Particularly when it came to Maine Lighthouses. Some Republicans, led by John McCain, made a big fuss about the so-called pork programs in the Spending Bill, that was up for a vote in both Houses last week. While President Obama has promised to eliminate “pork” from future spending bills, this one was crafted under the auspices of the old administration. It was ultimately passed, but not after McCain’s staff laid into one of them especially, the $380,000 promised to the American Lighthouse Foundation for renovations to three Maine lighthouses. these lighthouses are still owned by the Federal Government and haven’t been transferred. But the ALF has a lease for maintaining them.

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.

Over the past weekend, Coast Guard and Oregon Park officials have been monitoring a stranded, possibly injured whale near Florence, Oregon. Unfortunately, the debilitated fin whale did not make it, and has died, washing up on the beach just south of Heceta Head Lighthouse.

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Lens To Reside In Museum

Formerly in use at the Cape Croker Lighthouse, Southhampton, Ontario (Georgian Bay), pictured at left, the the third order Fresnel lens was removed without a word from the Canadian Coast Guard two years ago. The reason for the removal? It was at risk of vandalism, thanks to its isolated location. Another sad commentary on our times, that our threatened lighthouses are not only subject to deterioration, but to actual damage by people.

Returned To Service As a PATON

It seems like just last month that Emmet County, Michigan, became the owners of a home that was actually a long decommissioned lighthouse. When so many governmental units are so anxious to get rid of lighthouses, it was a rare treat when the county commissioners negotiated with the owners of what had been McGulpin Point Lighthouse and ended up purchasing it. And with the backing of the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association, the renovation has flown. Flown so fast, that the relighting ceremony will be May 30, 2009 at the lighthouse.

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.