Black Rock Harbor Light

Infobox Lighthouse


caption =
location = South end of Fayerweather Island, Connecticut
coordinates = coord|41|8|32.64|N|73|13|0.12|W|region:US_type:landmark|display=inline,title|name=Black Rock Harbor Light
yearbuilt = 1808
yearlit = 1830 (current tower)
automated =
yeardeactivated = 1933
foundation = Fieldstone
construction = Granite rubble and Brownstone block
shape = Octagonal
marking = White with black lantern
height = 40 ft
currentlens = Fifth order Fresnel lens
lens = 8 lamps, 14 inch Parabolic Reflectors
range = 11 nm
characteristic = Fixed white light

Black Rock Harbor Light is a lighthouse in Connecticut,
United States, on the south end of Fayerweather Island, Connecticut that used to mark the entrance to Black Rock Harbor.

History

The first Black Rock Harbor Lighthouse was a 40 foot octagonal wooden tower built in 1808. It originally had whale oil spider lamp, but it was upgraded to a system with eight lamps in 1830. However, the light was barely visible in hazy conditions, so in 1854, a fifth-order Fresnel lens was installed. The lighthouse was officially discontinued in 1933.

Historical Chronology

*1808: First tower built.cite web|url=http://lighthouse.cc/fayerweather/history.html|title=Fayerweather Island Lighthouse History|accessdate=2008-05-29|author=Jeremy D'Entremont]
*1811 & 1821: First tower survived hurricanes
*1823: Present tower built
*1824: First tower toppled by gale
*1880: Keeper's quarters building constructed
*1932: Modern pole tower light is constructed as a replacement 1/4 mile off the shore of Fayerweather Island
*1933: Light was deactivated
*1977: Keeper's quarters building is destroyed in a fire
*1980: Bridgeport Environmental Protection Agency along with Friends of Seaside Park restored the light tower.
*2000: Light is relit, but does not serve as an active aid to navigationcite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/history/maritime/light/blackrk.htm|title=Inventory of Historic Light Stations--Connecticut Lighthouses--Black Rock Harbor Light|publisher=National Park Service|accessdate=2008-05-29]

References