Nansemond River Light

Nansemond River Light
Undated photograph of Nansemond River Light (USCG)
Location mouth of Nansemond River off Pig Point
Coordinates
(approx.)
Year first lit 1878
Deactivated 1935
Foundation screw-pile
Construction cast-iron/wood
Tower shape square house
Height 36 ft
Original lens sixth-order Fresnel lens (upgraded to fifth-order in 1899)

The Nansemond River Light was a screwpile lighthouse located at the confluence of the Nansemond and James rivers in Virginia.

History

This light was erected in 1878 to mark the east side of the entrance to the Nansemond River. Some parts were recycled from the old Roanoke Marshes Light, which had been replaced the previous year. Little of note is recorded about this light, though in 1915 the keeper was cited for recovering a woman's wristwatch dropped overboard. The light was an early victim of automation in 1935, and in the late 1980s the whole structure was removed, leaving no trace of the light to be seen.

References