Lighthouse News

Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse Surveyed For Damage

The current Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse has been sitting atop the breakwall at the entrance to Delaware Bay since 1926. But part of its foundation is the 1901 National Harbor of Refuge Breakwater, which has taken a pounding from the northeast gales it’s designed to stop. Last week, the Army Corps of Engineers began surveying the current state of damage to the breakwall and lighthouse using side scan sonar imaging technology. This survey is the first step in repairing the damage caused by the years of waves scouring the base. The lighthouse was built in 1926 to replace the storm damaged original building. The 52 foot original tower was dismantled and removed after it became unusable after taking its own poundings from storms.

Norwalk Seaport Association Big Winner

Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk, CT) recently announced that the Norwalk Seaport Association would be the recipient of a $250,000 grant for improvements to the Sheffield Island Lighthouse. The funds will help cover the costs of a new dock, repairs to the bulkheads, a new pavilion, functioning restroom facilities, running water and electricity. These improvements will help increase public access to the lighthouse, originally built in 1868, but decommissioned after only 34 years of service. Currently the integral mid-Victorian serves as a museum and is surrounded by a wildlife sanctuary.

Army Corps of Engineers Budget Also Slashed

East Hampton (NY) town supervisor Bill McGintee recently visited Washington D.C. to meet with officials regarding the erosion control projects for Montauk Point. Although the Army Corps of Engineers has approved these projects, which include rebuilding the beach around Montauk Point, a breakwater dredging project and more beach erosion control measures, the funding may not be guaranteed if the 2009 budget as written passes muster. “I want to make sure that the money is there once the studies are finished,” said McGintee in the story at Suffolk Life. The total cost of the Lighthouse cliff rebuilding alone will be $14 million dollars, but US Congressman Tim Bishop (D-Coram) is supportive of the projects, he is not as certain about how such funding would come to fruition, given the president’s proposed budget to Congress for next year. “All of these projects are important, and all have been authorized by [the] Army Corps of Engineers,” said Bishop. “The challenging part will be providing the funding.”

Recent articles crossing the desk of Lighthouse News provided some good reading (and watching). Enjoy.

I Love My Lighthouse

An excerpt from a story at the Fleetwood News:

“I never thought it was possible to love a lighthouse. Then, I became a tour guide at Cape Leeuwin, right where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet, where it is beautiful, wild and remote. Surrounded by granite rocks, ocean swells and unique Australian scrub the Cape is considered by mariners to be one of the most dangerous in the world. It’s well known for its numerous shipwrecks and has a rich seafaring history of English, Dutch and French exploration.
3 days into my new job and I’m still in training to be a Guide. The wind has reached gale force today and I stagger past the old Lighthouse Keepers cottages, muttering to myself and hanging on to what’s left of my tour notes - flapping bits of ripped paper.

Lighthouses To Benefit

Michigan has one of the most proactive lighthouse preservation programs in the country, as is only fitting for the state with the most lighthouses (124). According to a March 17 story in the Detroit Free Press, sales of the specialty license plate featuring White Shoal Lighthouse has garnered $215,000 for lighthouse funding grants. And $25 of every $35 spent to purchase the plate goes to the funding of grants for lighthouse restoration and preservation and has awarded more than $1 million since its start in 2000.

Good Friday Reopening Set

The popular tourist attraction, the Souter Lighthouse in South Tyneside, UK, has been completely rewired as part of an effort by the National Trust, owner of the lighthouse. It has taken a team of eight people since January to complete this project, which they described as “challenging.” The cost of the project, paid for from the Trust’s Building Fund, was more than £100,000 and involved the laying of over 5,000 meters, or 16,404 feet, of new cable and 130 new fittings. It is hoped the rewiring will make the rambling house and 75 foot tall tower more energy efficient.