West Quoddy Head Light

Infobox_Lighthouse

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caption = West Quoddy Head Lighthouse and Quoddy Narrows, with Grand Manan Island, Canada, visible in the background
location = West Quoddy head/Bay of Fundy
coordinates = coord|44|48|54|N|66|57|02|W|region:US_type:landmark
yearbuilt = 1808
yearlit = 1858 (Current tower)
automated = 1988
yeardeactivated =
foundation = Masonry
construction = Brick
shape = Conical
marking = Red and white bands with black lantern
height = 49 feet
elevation = Center of lantern 83 feet (25.3 m) above sea level
lens = Third order Fresnel lens
currentlens =
intensity = 30,000 candlepower, 1000 watt bulb
range = 15-18 miles (24-29 kilometers) at sea
characteristic = Flashing(2) White 15s with the following pattern: 2s flashing 2s eclipse, 2s flashing 9s eclipse. Lighted throughout 24 hours. Emergency light of reduced intensity when main light is extinguished. HORN: 2 blasts ev 30s (2s bl-2s si-2s bl-24s si).

West Quoddy Head (44°49' north latitude, 66°57' west longitude) in Lubec, Maine is the easternmost point in the 48 contiguous states of the United States. West Quoddy Head is adjacent to the Quoddy Narrows, a narrow strait between Canada and the United States. Since 1808, there has been a lighthouse on the site to guide ships through this waterway. The present one with distinctive red-and-white stripes was built in 1858. Photographs and paintings of this lighthouse are frequently reproduced.

Historical Chronology from Coast Guard web site:

*1806: Lighthouse at West Passamaquoddy Head, Maine, first authorized by Congress.
*1808: Light station established on 21 April 1808 at a cost of $5,000. The first keeper was Thomas Dexter.
*1820: On May 15, Congress authorizes the first fog signal, a 500-pound bell, at the station for a cost of $1,000.
*1939: Howard Grey was the last civilian keeper of the station prior to its transfer to the U.S. Coast Guard.
*1962: As of 15 August 1962 BM1 Bruce Keene was OIC, or Officer-in-Charge (dates of the time he began and ended his tour are not presently known--he served at least through September *1964.) According to documents in the West Quoddy file, his father, LT Thomas Keene, had previously served as the head keeper of the light station.
*1963: As of 27 October Keene was still OIC and (Engineman?) Richard Copeland was his assistant.
*1978: Through 31 May the OIC was BM1 Cliffton Scholfield. He had a crew of two assistants: MT2 Carl Hatch and MT# Davis Blanding.
*1978: On 1 June, BM2 George Eaton took over as the OIC of the station. He had two assistants.
*1979: MK3 Carl Hatch was a member of the crew.
*1981: As of 14 September, the OIC was BM1 John Richardson.
*1988: The light was automated in July 1988. The last OIC (keeper) was Malcolm Rouse, USCG.

ee also

* Extreme points of the United States
* [http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=506 West Quoddy Head Lighthouse] - from Lighthousefriends.com
* [http://www.lighthouse.cc/westquoddy/ West Quoddy Head Light] from New England Lighthouses: A Virtual Guide