Cape Disappointment Light

Cape Disappointment Light

Infobox Lighthouse



caption = Cape Disappointment Light
location = Ilwaco, Washington
coordinates = coord|46.2756|-124.0518|display=inline,title|region:US_type:landmark
yearlit = October 15,1856
automated = 1973
yeardeactivated =
foundation = surface
construction = Brick
shape = conical
height = 53 ft
lens = Fourth Order Fresnel lens
range =
characteristic =

The Cape Disappointment Light is a lighthouse near the mouth of the Columbia River in the U.S. state of Washington.

History

In 1848 a lighthouse was recommended to be located at Cape Disappointment in what was then Oregon Territory. $53,000 was appropriated in 1852. After the lighthouse was designed, a first-order Fresnel lens was ordered. When the lens arrived it was found to be too large for the tower. Rebuilding the tower took an additional two years. The first lighthouse in the Pacific Northwest was finally lit in 1856. In addition to the light, the station was equipped with a 1600-pound bell powered by a striking mechanism. The keeper's residence was about a quarter mile away.

The lighthouse had several shortcomings. The fog bell was sometimes inaudible due to the roar of ocean waves. It was discontinued in 1881 and moved to West Point Light in Seattle, and eventually to Warrior Rock Light near Portland. Also, the light was not visible to ships approaching from the north. This problem was corrected by building a lighthouse at North Head, two miles from Cape Disappointment. The first-order lens was moved to North Head and a fourth-order lens installed at Cape Disappointment.

The lighthouse was electrified in 1937. In 1956, the Coast Guard intended to close the station, but retained the light when the Columbia River bar pilots protested. The light was automated in 1973. The lighthouse is still an active aid to navigation. An observation deck has been built for the Coast Guard to monitor traffic and bar conditions. The grounds are open to the public through Cape Disappointment State Park.

External links

* [http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=115 Lighthouse Friends]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Coast Guard Station Cape Disappointment — United States Coast Guard Station Cape Disappointment, situated near Cape Disappointment, Washington at the mouth of the Columbia River, is the largest United States Coast Guard search and rescue station on the Northwest Coast, with 50… …   Wikipedia

  • Cape May, New Jersey — This article is about the city of Cape May. For other uses, see Cape May (disambiguation). Cape May, New Jersey   City (New Jersey)   Welcome sig …   Wikipedia

  • North Head Light — Location Ilwaco, Washington Coordinates …   Wikipedia

  • Phare du cap Disappointment — Pour les articles homonymes, voir Cap Disappointment. Phare du cap Disappointment Phare du cap Disappointment …   Wikipédia en Français

  • West Point Light — Location Seattle, Washington Coordinates …   Wikipedia

  • Mukilteo Light — Mukilteo Lighthouse Location Mukilteo, Washington Coordinates …   Wikipedia

  • Destruction Island Light — Location Destruction Island, Washington Coordinates …   Wikipedia

  • Dofflemyer Point Light — U.S. National Register of Historic Places …   Wikipedia

  • Marrowstone Light — Location Fort Flagler, Washington Coordinates 48°06′06″N …   Wikipedia

  • New Dungeness Light — Dungeness Lighthouse after 1927 Location Sequim, Washington Year first lit 1857 Automated 1976 Foundation …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”