Spring Point Ledge Light

Infobox_Lighthouse


caption = Spring Point Ledge Light
location = Portland harbor
coordinates = coord|43|39|08|N|70|13|25|W|region:US_type:landmark
yearbuilt =
yearlit = 1897
automated = 1934
yeardeactivated =
foundation = Brick/ Iron caisson
construction = Cast iron with brick
shape = Conical "Spark Plug"
marking = White on black pier with black lantern
height = 54 feet
elevation =
lens = Fifth order Fresnel lens
currentlens =
intensity =
range = White 12 nmi, Red 10 nmi
characteristic = Flashing white 6s with two Red sectors. White from 331° to 337° covers fairway entrance, white from 074° to 288°; red in intervening sectors. Lighted throughout 24 hours. Emergency light of reduced intensity when main light is extinguished. HORN: 1 blast ev 10s (1s bl).

Spring Point Ledge Light is a lighthouse in South Portland, Maine USA, and marks a dangerous obstruction on the west side of the main shipping channel into Portland Harbor.

History

The lighthouse was constructed in 1897 by the government after seven steamship companies stated that many of their vessels ran aground on Spring Point Ledge. Congress initially allocated $20,000 to its construction, although the total cost of the tower ended up being $45,000 due to problems with storms and poor quality cement. The lighthouse featured a fog horn that sounded every 12 second, and a lantern fitted with a fifth order Fresnel lens first lit by Keeper William A. Lane on May 24, 1897.

Improvements were made to the lighthouse throughout the 20th century. It was electrified in 1934, and in 1951, a 900-foot breakwater made from 50,000 tons of granite was constructed in order to connect the lighthouse to the mainland. The lighthouse was originally owned and operated by the United States Coast Guard. However, on April 28, 1998, the Maine Lights Selection Committee approved a transfer of ownership of the tower to the Spring Point Ledge Light Trust. The light and fog signal are still owned and operated by the United States Coast Guard. On May 22, 1999, Spring Point Ledge Light was opened to the public for the first time in its history. It is a popular spot on any summer day for families to picnic and boat-watch on the breakwater or for fisherman to spend an afternoon catching fish. Adjacent to the lighthouse, visitors may also tour the old Fort Preble, the Southern Maine Community College Campus, and visit a small gift shop.

External links

* [http://www.lighthouse.cc/springpoint/ Spring Point Ledge Light Main Page]
* [http://www.springpointlight.org/trust.html Spring Point Ledge Light Trust]