 The
History of the Lighthouse – Why Was It Built ?
Many people ask us if the breakwater was built to connect
the lighthouse to the land. In fact, the breakwater was built first.
In the 1850s several severe nor’easters caused considerable
damage to many Rockland waterfront structures, businesses and to
ships in the harbor. Lack of a protective breakwater clearly prevented
the harbor from realizing its potential as a commercial port and
a harbor of refuge for coastal shipping. In spite of citizen petitions
and intervention by a local Senator, Congress did not approve constuction
of a breakwater until 1880.
The original plan called for two breakwaters to be built - one portion
extending 1,900 feet from the shore at Jameson Point and the other
section extending 2,640 feet from South Ledge back towards the point.
Cost estimate for the project was $500,000. |
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As
early as 1886, discussions among those responsible for the
project considered changing the original two-breakwater design
in favor of a single, long breakwater. The single breakwater
plan was approved in 1890 and was completed on November 24,
1899. Severe winter storms during the winter of 1899-1900
proved that the height needed to be increased. A four-foot-high
cap was completed on October 15, 1901, and included the base
for a lighthouse to be built at the end. A total of 768,774
tons of stone were used for the project, total expenditure
up to that point was $880,093. |
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THE
BEACON
The breakwater itself became a hazard to navigation
and as a temporary measure, until the lighthouse was built,
a beacon was placed at the end of the breakwater. The original
light was a “fixed white lens lantern, 18 feet above
the breakwater. This lantern hung on an iron crane on top
of stone beacon, 24 feet above sea level.” On August
15, 1892 the beacon was changed to two red lanterns, spaced
six feet apart, one above the other placed on a mast atop
the stone pillar. In 1895, the beacon was further improved
by providing a six-by-six foot building at the base of the
mast.
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Note: Roll your mouse over the left image to see the 1895
beacon changes. |
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THE
LIGHTHOUSE
On September 19, 1902 the W.H. Glover Company completed
work on the lighthouse and on October 20, 1902 it was equipped
with a fourth-order flashing white light. The Rockland Breakwater
Lighthouse was officially operational October 30, 1902.
Today, it is still an active aid to navigation.
The above information is excerpted from the book
“The Lighthouse at Rockland Breakwater”
by Ted Panayotoff and Courtney Thompson. Proceeds from the
sale of these books benefit the restoration of the lighthouse.
>> Learn
more about The
Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse Keepers |
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Do
you have old photos, stories or information about the lighthouse
to add to our archives and exhibits? Do you have questions that
you would like answered? If so, please contact our historian,
Ted Panayotoff
Email: historian@rocklandlighthouse.com |
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