Bowlers Rock Light

Infobox Lighthouse


caption =
location = Off Bowlers Landing on the Rappahannock River
coordinates = coord|37.8245|N|76.7327|W|type:landmark
yearlit = 1868
automated =
yeardeactivated = 1920
foundation = screw-pile
construction = cast-iron/wood
shape = square house
height =
lens =
currentlens =
range =
characteristic = The Bowlers Rock Light was a lighthouse located in the Rappahannock River in Virginia.

History

This spot was marked by lightships beginning in 1835. In 1861 the first lightship was destroyed by confederate raiders, and second ship replaced it in 1864, to be replaced with a screw-pile lighthouse in 1868. Although a square house was constructed, the foundation had six plies, the two extra being provided to protect the light from ice. In spite of this a report in 1895 remarked that the light had suffered such damage and was unlikely to survive. This prediction was fulfilled in 1918, when the light was destroyed. It was officially deactivated two years later. In 1921 a small caisson structure with an automated light replaced the lighthouse, and with variations in light source, continues in service to the present..

References

* [http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/WEBLIGHTHOUSES/LHVA.html Virginia Light Stations] , from the United States Coast Guard
* [http://www.cheslights.org/heritage/bowlersrock.htm Bowlers Rock Light] , from the Chesapeake Chapter of the United States Lighthouse Society
*cite book
last= de Gast
first= Robert
title= The Lighthouses of the Chesapeake
year= 1973
publisher= Johns Hopkins University Press