The original lighthouse built in 1838 was 55-feet high. Its light was provided by multiple lamps and reflectors. Due to erosion of the island, the lighthouse was in jeopardy so a new lighthouse was built in 1856. This one was constructed of brick and stood 150-feet high. Its light was provided by a first-order Fresnel lens.
During the Civil War that tower was blown up and destroyed beyond repair. A temporary wooden tower was built at a height of 48-feet and the lantern room contained a fourth-order lens.
In 1873 a new brick tower was constructed and stands 132-feet tall. It was fitted with a new second-order Fresnel lens. However, due to erosion of the island, this new tower was built further northwest of the temporary tower. Since then the new tower has withstood hurricanes and been threatened by continuing erosion. Some keepers of this lighthouse and their families lost their lives during hurricanes, and other keepers lost their lives traveling to shore while the sea was rough. Multiple keeper dwellings have been built over the years and destroyed by erosion and weather.
The Coast Guard took over responsibility and control of this lighthouse in 1939. The lighthouse was automated in 1948 and the need for keepers was discontinued. The light was darkened in 1971and the second-order Fresnel lens removed and placed on display at the Fort Morgan Museum.
I visited this lighthouse in the year 2000. The land you see in the above picture is all that remains of the island. It was approximately 400 acres when the original lighthouse was built. Through time and massive erosion, the ocean waters have consumed almost all of the island, but the lighthouse stood at the time of my visit.
2 comments:
This lighthouse must have a good many wild stories to tell.
I wonder how deep the engineers set its foundations? They must be deep to withstand wave action and sand migration.
Richard; You're right. I'm sure if the lighthouse could talk, it would definitely have a lot of stories to tell. Some of them probably chilling. Regarding the foundation, I have no idea how deep it goes, but to withstand the storms and erosion, your comment is accurate. Thanks, Richard for your comments.
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