Caribou Island Light
 Caribou Island, June- 2009 | |
| Location | off the southwest shore of Caribou Island. |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 47°20′23″N 85°49′32″W / 47.33972°N 85.82556°WCoordinates: 47°20′23″N 85°49′32″W / 47.33972°N 85.82556°W[1][2] |
| Year first constructed | Construction began in 1866. Replaced in 1912. |
| Automated | mid-1970 |
| Height | 26 m (85 ft) |
Caribou Island lighthouse sits on an uninhabited island in the eastern end of Lake Superior, 22 miles (35 km) south of Michipicoten Island. It lies entirely within the territorial waters of Canada although only about three miles from the international border between Canada and the United States. It is approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) long and approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) wide.
A dangerous reef stretches 1 mile (1.6 km) north and west from the north shore and from the west shore, and a shallow reef 2.5 miles (4.0 km) to the southwest of Caribou Island light lies only 11 feet (3.4 m) below the lake's surface. This originally unmanned lighthouse which is owned by the Canadian Coast Guard is located on a tiny adjacent island called Lighthouse Island a few hundred feet across and positioned 1 mile (1.6 km) west of the southern tip of the main island. When originally built, it was visible for 16 miles (26 km) and operated on a 30-second revolving cycle.[3] Caribou Island is about 55 km (34 mi) off Agawa Bay on the east shore of the lake.
The present light was built in 1912 (station established 1886), flashes white every 15 seconds and is 31.5 meters (103 feet) tall. It is a hexagonal concrete tower with six flying buttresses. The structure is painted white, while the lantern, gallery and watch room are red. All other structures have been demolished and all other buildings have been removed. The lighthouse is located on a small island southwest of Caribou Island itself and about 5 km (3.1 mi) north of the international border. It is only accessible by boat.
External links
http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=1553
References
- ↑ INLAND WATERS – List of Lights, Buoys and Fog Signals, Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Official Canadian Coast Guard Statement. Last correction: 9/2014, http://notmar.gc.ca/eng/services/list/2009-inland-waters/i1082e2009.pdf
- ↑ Notices to Mariners, Fisheries and Oceans Canada. http://notmar.gc.ca/go.php?doc=eng/services/list/2009-inland-waters/i1082e2009
- ↑ U.S. Lake Survey (1910). "Lake Superior". Bulletin of the northern and northwestern lake survey, Issues 19. Detroit, Michigan: U.S. Lake Survey Office. p. 77.