St. George Reef Light
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 St. George Reef Light on a rare calm day |
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| Location: | Six miles off Point St. George |
|---|---|
| Foundation: | Elliptical concrete granite |
| Construction: | Granite blocks |
| Year first lit: | 1892 |
| Year first constructed: | 1867 |
| Deactivated: | 1975 |
| Tower shape: | Square |
| Markings/Pattern: | White with black lantern |
| Original lens: | First Order Fresnel lens, 1892 |
The St. George Reef Light was a lighthouse located off the coast of northern California near Crescent City. Its beacon and fog signal warned ships of the treacherous rocks and reefs nearby. The light's location was selected because the area had a history of serious maritime accidents and its construction was a direct result of the wreck of the Brother Jonathan in 1865. However, this site, battered by stormy waters, presented challenges to the designer as well as hazardous conditions for construction workers and, later, for lightkeepers. Unlike the typical lighthouse design by federal architect Ammi B. Young, which consisted of a separate keeper's cottage and light tower, the living quarters and light tower at St. George Reef Light were housed in the same structure.
The light was first illuminated on October 20th, 1892. It stands 146 feet high, the tallest on the Pacific coast of the United States. The first survey of the rock was done in 1882, and construction began in 1883, but was erratic for several years due to lack of funds being allotted by Congress. Work was finally completed in 1891, but the lighthouse awaited arrival of its lens from France until the following year. At a cost of more than $704,000, St. George Reef was the most expensive lighthouse built to that time.
Duty at St. George Reef was among the most difficult of any station, due to its remote location, surrounded by often treacherous seas. Several people died during its construction and operation, dozens resigned or sought transfer, and a few even suffered mental breakdowns. It was finally replaced by a buoy and decommissioned in 1975, and its 18-foot-high first-order Fresnel lens was removed in 1983 for display at the Del Norte County Historical Museum in Crescent City.
In 1996, transfer of the lighthouse to the St. George Reef Lighthouse Preservation Society was completed. The society conducts ongoing restoration work as well as tours of the site by helicopter from October through June.
The lighthouse is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Historical Information from USCG web site:
This lighthouse, built on a small rock only 300 feet in diameter, is one of the most exposed lighthouses on the Pacific coast. Extreme difficulties were encountered in constructing this tower, and 10 years were required before the work was completed. The total cost was $702,000 making it one of the most costly lighthouses ever constructed. The light was first displayed in 1892. The base of the tower is a solid block of concrete and granite, and the tower above is also built of granite blocks. The stone was quarried from granite boulders found on Mad River near Humboldt Bay. Probably the most violent storm experienced at this lighthouse was that of 1923, when huge seas from a northwesterly direction broke on the platform of the tower, 70 feet above water, with such violence as to tear the donkey-engine house from its foundation. Several men have been injured, and several men killed in transferring to this light by small boat.
"St. George Reef Lighthouse represents one of the greatest challenges in U. S. lighthouse building history. Besides being one of the most expensive ever built at that time, it took eight years to complete. Great dressed granite blocks, 1339 or them, from Mad River, were used in construction. In 1892, after a cost or $712,000, the light went into service. It marks the site of the tragic sinking of the steamer Brother Jonathan.
There are ever-present hazards to be encountered in the manning or St. George Reef Lighthouse, located on storm-lashed Seal Rock. A boom lifts supplies and personnel to the lighthouse. The light stands 134 feet above the sea level. It is located approximately 10 miles west of Crescent City Harbor, and is manned by a crew of six. A 1,000,000 candlepower lamp, marker radiobeacon, and a two-tone diaphone fog signal is her armament against disaster to shipping. St. George’s light is displayed from one hour before sunset to one hour after sunrise."
