Block Island Southeast Light

Block Island Southeast Light

2004
Location South East Light Road, New Shoreham, Rhode Island
Coordinates 41°9′12.3″N 71°33′7.7″W / 41.153417°N 71.552139°WCoordinates: 41°9′12.3″N 71°33′7.7″W / 41.153417°N 71.552139°W
Year first constructed 1875
Year first lit 1875
Automated 1990
Deactivated 1990-1994
Foundation Granite / Concrete / Brick
Construction Red brick
Tower shape Octagonal pyramidal tower attached to dwelling
Markings / pattern Natural with black lantern
Height 52 feet (16 m)
Focal height 261 feet (80 m)
Original lens 1st order Fresnel lens (1875)
Current lens 1st order Fresnel lens from Cape Lookout Light
Range 20 nautical miles (37 km; 23 mi)
Characteristic Fl Green 5 sec
Fog signal Horn, 1 every 30 sec
Admiralty number J0650
ARLHS number USA-062
USCG number

1-640 [1] [2] [3]

Block Island South East Light
Architect US Light House Board; Tynan, T.H.
Architectural style Gothic
Governing body Private
NRHP Reference # 90001131 (NRHP)
97001264 (NHL)[4]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP August 6, 1990[4]
Designated NHL September 24, 1997[5]

Block Island Southeast Light is a lighthouse located on Mohegan Bluffs at the southeastern corner of Block Island, Rhode Island. It was designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1997 as one of the most architecturally sophisticated lighthouses built in the United States in the 19th century.[5][6]

Description and history

Although Congress appropriated $9,000 to build this light in 1856, the funds were used to build a new Block Island North Light after the old one was washed away in a storm. This light was finally built in 1875. It is a sophisticated expression of the Gothic Revival executed in brick, and was a marked contrast to earlier lighthouses, which were generally more functional in appearance. The main tower is 67 feet (20 m) in height, with an octagonal granite foundation and brick exterior, which rises to a cast iron parapet and open gallery around the lantern chamber. This is topped by a sixteen-sided pyramidal copper roof with a ball ventilator and lightning rod. The original roof was cast iron, and was replaced in 1994.[6]

The keeper's house is attached to the tower by a 1-1/2 story connecting wing. It is a 2-1/2 story brick structure with identical projecting 1-1/2 story kitchen wings at its rear, and a steeply-pitched gable roof with windows extending into the roofline. There are porches on either side of the connector, one for each of the two dwellings in the building, which were originally identical. That on the southwest side has retained original trim, which includes beveled, bracketed posts. The north wing was designated for the keeper, while the south wing was for his assistants. The only major alterations to the residences have been for the introduction of modern plumbing (in 1938) and the repair of storm-related damage. The roof was originally shingled, and since been covered by a variety of materials, most recently asphalt shingles.[6]

The original optic was a first order Fresnel lens standing about 12 feet (3.7 m) tall with four circular wicks burning whale oil. The whale oil was replaced by kerosene in 1880 and the lens was modified to rotate floating in a pool of mercury, driven by a clock whose weights had to be rewound every four hours.

In 1990, the Coast Guard deactivated the light and replaced it with a nearby steel tower. Because of ongoing erosion of the bluffs, in 1993 the entire 2,000 ton structure was moved about 300 feet (91 m) back from the cliffs. After the move, the Coast Guard decided not to reinstall the mercury float lens, but instead installed the first order lens from Cape Lookout Lighthouse.[1] Ownership of the lighthouse was transferred in 1992 to the Southeast Lighthouse Foundation, which is dedicated to its preservation.[6]

The light was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990, and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1997.[4] The latter designation was made in recognition of the light's historic importance as an aid to navigation, and for its sophisticated architecture, which was only matched by the Cleveland Light, which was demolished in the early 20th century. As of its 1997 designation, it was one of only twelve lighthouses which used a first-order Fresnel lens.[6]

Museum

The lighthouse has a museum displaying the original Fresnel lens.[1] The museum is open during the summer season,[7] provides tours of the light tower, and has a small gift shop.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: Rhode Island". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office.
  2. ↑ Light List, Volume I, Atlantic Coast, St. Croix River, Maine to Shrewsbury River, New Jersey (PDF). Light List. United States Coast Guard. 2013. p. 7.
  3. ↑ Rowlett, Russ (2013-04-08). "Lighthouses of Rhode Island". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2007-01-23.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Block Island South East Light". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 "NHL nomination for Block Island South East Lighthouse" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved 2014-10-27.
  7. ↑ Daytripper's Guide: Block Island; University of Rhode Island Sea Grant; retrieved on October 22, 2007

External links

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