Plum Island Range Lights

Infobox_Lighthouse


caption = Front range light (with rear in back)
location = Plum Island, Wisconsin
coordinates = coord|45|18|14|N|86|57|18|W|region:US_type:landmark
Front range Light
yearlit = 1964
automated = 1964
yeardeactivated =
foundation =
construction = Steel
shape = Skeletal
height =
lens =
range =
characteristic = Red, Isophase 6 sec. Directional, bearing 330.5°Infobox_Lighthouse


caption = Rear range light with house
location = Plum Island, Wisconsin
coordinates = coord|45|18|28|N|86|57|29|W|region:US_type:landmark
Rear range light
yearlit = 1897
automated = c. 1969
yeardeactivated =
foundation = Concrete
construction = Iron
shape = Skeletal
height = 65 feet (20 m)
lens = Fourth order Fresnel lens
range =
characteristic = Flashing Red
ARLHS = USA-608
USCG = 7-21310The Plum Island Range Lights are a pair of lighthouses located on Plum Island in Door County, Wisconsin.

The range lights were originally lit in 1897 and are 1,650 feet apart, aligned on a 330° bearing line to guide boats safely into the Porte des Morts Passage. The Plum Island front range light was originally identical to the front range light of the Baileys Harbor Range Lights, but was replaced by a modern skeletal light in 1964. The rear range light is the original tower and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, as the Plum Island Range Rear Light, reference number #84003659. The rear range light is also omnidirectional.

According to US Government publication, "The American Practical Navigator", Chapter 5: "Range lights are light pairs that indicate a specific line of position when they are in line. The higher rear light is placed behind the front light. When the mariner sees the lights vertically in line, he is on the range line. If the front light appears left of the rear light, the observer is to the right of the range line; if the front appears to the right of the rear, the observer is left of the range line." [http://pollux.nss.nima.mil/NAV_PUBS/APN/Chapt-05.pdf]

External links

* [http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/michigan/plumisland/plumisland.htm Seeing the Light Article]
* [http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=641 Lighthouse friends article]
* [http://www.cr.nps.gov/maritime/light/plumrr.htm NPS Inventory of Historic Light Stations - Wisconsin]
* [http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pubs/LightLists/V7COMPLETE.PDF Volume 7, USCG Lightlist (PDF)]