Black Rock Harbor Light
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| Fayerweather Island | |
| Location | South end of Fayerweather Island, Connecticut |
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| Coordinates | 41°8′32.64″N 73°13′0.12″W / 41.1424°N 73.2167°WCoordinates: 41°8′32.64″N 73°13′0.12″W / 41.1424°N 73.2167°W |
| Year first constructed | 1808 |
| Year first lit | 1830 (current tower) |
| Deactivated | 1933 |
| Foundation | Fieldstone |
| Construction | Granite rubble and Brownstone block |
| Tower shape | Octagonal |
| Markings / pattern | White with black lantern |
| Height | 40 ft (12 m) |
| Original lens | 8 lamps, 14 inch Parabolic Reflectors |
| Current lens | Fifth order Fresnel lens |
| Range | 11 nm |
| Characteristic | Fixed white light |
Black Rock Harbor Light is a lighthouse in Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States, on the south end of Fayerweather Island, that marks the entrance to Black Rock Harbor.
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[edit] History
The first Black Rock Harbor Lighthouse was a 40-foot (12 m) octagonal wooden tower built in 1808. It originally had whale oil spider lamp, but it was upgraded to a system with eight lamps in 1830. However, the light was barely visible in hazy conditions, so in 1854, a fifth-order Fresnel lens was installed. The lighthouse was officially discontinued as a navigational aid in 1933.
[edit] Historical Chronology
- 1808: First tower built.[1]
- 1811 & 1821: First tower survived hurricanes
- 1823: Present tower built
- 1824: First tower toppled by gale
- 1880: Keeper's quarters building constructed[2]
- 1932: Modern pole tower light is constructed as a replacement 1/4 mile off the shore of Fayerweather Island[2]
- 1933: Light was deactivated
- 1977: Keeper's quarters building is destroyed in a fire[2]
- 1980: Bridgeport Environmental Protection Agency along with Friends of Seaside Park restored the light tower.
- 2000: Light is relit, but does not serve as an active aid to navigation[2]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Jeremy D'Entremont. "Fayerweather Island Lighthouse History". http://lighthouse.cc/fayerweather/history.html. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
- ^ a b c d "Inventory of Historic Light Stations--Connecticut Lighthouses--Black Rock Harbor Light". National Park Service. http://www.nps.gov/history/maritime/light/blackrk.htm. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
