Caribou Island Lighthouse
 Caribou Island, June 2009 | |
 | |
| Location | Caribou Island Lake Superior Ontario Canada |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 47°20′23.1″N 85°49′33.1″W / 47.339750°N 85.825861°W[1][2] |
| Tower | |
| Constructed | 1886 (first) |
| Construction | concrete tower |
| Automated | mid-1970 |
| Height | 31.5 metres (103 ft) |
| Shape | hexagonal tapered tower with six flying buttresses, balcony and lantern |
| Markings | white tower, red balcony and lantern |
| Power source | solar power  |
| Operator | Canadian Coast Guard [3] |
| Heritage | classified federal heritage building of Canada |
| Light | |
| First lit | 1912 (current) |
| Focal height | 30 metres (98 ft) |
| Lens | second order Fresnel lens by Chance Brothers |
| Light source | solar power |
| Characteristic | Fl W 15s. |
Caribou Island lighthouse sits on an uninhabited island in the eastern end of Lake Superior, 22 miles (35 km) south of Michipicoten Island. It lies entirely within the territorial waters of Canada although only about three miles from the international border between Canada and the United States. It is approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) long and approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) wide.
A dangerous reef stretches 1 mile (1.6 km) north and west from the north shore and from the west shore, and a shallow reef 2.5 miles (4.0 km) to the southwest of Caribou Island light lies only 11 feet (3.4 m) below the lake's surface. This originally unmanned lighthouse which is owned by the Canadian Coast Guard is located on a tiny adjacent island called Lighthouse Island a few hundred feet across and positioned 1 mile (1.6 km) west of the southern tip of the main island. When originally built, it was visible for 16 miles (26 km) and operated on a 30-second revolving cycle.[4] Caribou Island is about 55 km (34 mi) off Agawa Bay on the east shore of the lake.
The present light was built in 1912 (station established 1886), flashes white every 15 seconds and is 31.5 meters (103 feet) tall. It is a hexagonal concrete tower with six flying buttresses. The structure is painted white, while the lantern, gallery and watch room are red. All other structures have been demolished and all other buildings have been removed. The lighthouse is located on a small island southwest of Caribou Island itself and about 5 km (3.1 mi) north of the international border. It is only accessible by boat.
Keepers
- R. May 1886–1887
- Charles James Pim 1887–1898
- Wilbrod O. Demers 1899–1906
- Antoine Boucher 1907–1912
- George W. Johnston 1912–1921
- J. George Penfold 1921–1922
- John W. Kennedy 1922–1928
- Charles N. McDonald 1928–1935
- Arthur W. Hurley 1935–1962
- Alfred Thibeault 1962–1964
- George Rutherford 1964–?
- Reg Dawson (at least 1968)
- Bert Hopkins[5]
See also
References
- ^ INLAND WATERS – List of Lights, Buoys and Fog Signals, Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Official Canadian Coast Guard Statement. Last correction: 9/2014, http://notmar.gc.ca/eng/services/list/2009-inland-waters/i1082e2009.pdf
- ^ Notices to Mariners, Fisheries and Oceans Canada. http://notmar.gc.ca/go.php?doc=eng/services/list/2009-inland-waters/i1082e2009
- ^ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Canada: Western Ontario". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
- ^ U.S. Lake Survey (1910). "Lake Superior". Bulletin of the northern and northwestern lake survey, Issues 19. Detroit, Michigan: U.S. Lake Survey Office. p. 77.
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External links
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