The first lighthouse was built in 1831 and set atop a broad cylindrical pier. Unfortunately, the construction was inadequate to withstand the often severe weather conditions which occurred at that exposed spot. Gales frequently shook that tower, opening cracks which let in large quantities of water, and the wave action quickly undermined the base. Fearing the entire structure would soon collapse, inspectors closed it and eventually funds were secured to build the more substantial lighthouse shown above.
This conical tower, built in 1872 as the replacement, is fashioned of gray granite blocks, much like England's famed Eddystone Light. The base is bolted to the underlying ledge and is solid masonry to a height of twenty feet above low water. The upper blocks are tightly dovetailed together. The tower's flashing white light shines from a height of fifty-nine feet above high tide. I visited this lighthouse in 2001 and took this picture from New Castle, NH.
No comments:
Post a Comment