The Navesink Lighthouse is a twin lighthouse located in
Highlands, NJ. It overlooks the entrance to the New York Bay. In 1862, these
two brownstone towers were built to replace the original octagonal towers built
in 1828. The north tower, on right, is octagonal, and the south tower,
left, is square. These similar towers are both 64-feet high and they set 320-feet
apart. An 18-room dwelling for keeper's and crews connect the two towers. The
towers are located approximately 246-feet above sea level. In 1898, the octagonal tower’s
light was discontinued but the light was held in reserve as an emergency light.
The twin lights hold a prominent place in American maritime history as the
first lighthouse to use the Fresnel lens. In 1841 a French "first
order" fixed light was placed in the south tower (square), and a
"second order" revolving light in the north tower. In 1898 an
enormous electric-arc bivalve lens, measuring nine feet in diameter, replaced
the south tower beehive-type light. To illuminate this new lens, the Lighthouse
Service built an electric generator house on site. This made Navesink Light the
only shore station having a plant for electric generation. It was estimated the
candle power was 25,000,000, which made it the most powerful coastal light in
the United States. The revolving light, due to the curvature of the earth,
could be seen about 22 miles at sea. Its beam reported to have also been observed in
the sky at a distance of 70 nautical miles.
With improvement in floating aids, such as Lightships, Radar, etc, the lighthouse lost some of its importance as in early years. The south tower continued to operate until 1949 when it was changed to "unwatched status" and then discontinued in 1952. It was used as a day beacon until 1963. The light in the north tower was taken out of service, but was re-lit in 1962 with a smaller commemorative light. At the time of my visit here, the lighthouse complex and grounds were owned and operated by the state of New Jersey. Part of this very unique light station contained a museum.
With improvement in floating aids, such as Lightships, Radar, etc, the lighthouse lost some of its importance as in early years. The south tower continued to operate until 1949 when it was changed to "unwatched status" and then discontinued in 1952. It was used as a day beacon until 1963. The light in the north tower was taken out of service, but was re-lit in 1962 with a smaller commemorative light. At the time of my visit here, the lighthouse complex and grounds were owned and operated by the state of New Jersey. Part of this very unique light station contained a museum.
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