US - Point No Point Light

Point No Point Light, Maryland, United States:

Point No Point Light, located in the Chesapeake Bay off the eponymous point several miles north of the mouth of the Potomac River, was constructed as part of a program to add lighted navigational aids in a thirty mile stretch of the bay between Cove and Smith Points. - Wikipedia

Then




Now
Yes, for sale, or maybe not for sale:

Offshore lighthouse in Chesapeake Bay - disposal includes only the lighthouse. -PLEASE NOTE- The bidding has been temporarily suspended due to the fact that the Navy has notified GSA that the lighthouse serves as a boundary marker for the Navy's restricted area danger zone as defined in 33 CFR 334.200. For complete details, please read the Addendum #2, which can be downloaded from this page - US Government

Here is an extract from the Addendum:

1) Bidding is hereby temporarily suspended. The Department of Navy (Navy) has notified the General Services Administration (GSA) that the Point No Point Lighthouse serves as a boundary marker for the Navy’s restricted area danger zone as defined in 33 CFR 334.200 (see attached). Further, the Navy has informed GSA that it may require additional deed restrictions for the use of the lighthouse. Those will be made available to all registered bidders and posted on www.auctionrp.com as soon as they are made available to GSA.

So despite living on an 'island' you still are going to have a neighbor, and it sounds like a nagging one at that. Then again, you could be buying front-row tickets for... something.

H/t to Private Islands Blog where I saw this story first.

US - Pigeon Point Lighthouse

Pigeon Point Light Station, California, United States:

Perched on a cliff on the central California coast, 50 miles south of San Francisco, the 115-foot Pigeon Point Lighthouse, one of the tallest lighthouses in America, has been guiding mariners since 1872. Its five-wick lard oil lamp, and first-order Fresnel lens, comprised of 1,008 prisms, was first lit at sunset, November 15, 1872. The lens stands 16 feet tall, 6 feet in diameter, and weighs 8,000 pounds. It sits in a lantern room that had been constructed at the Lighthouse Service's general depot in New York before being shipped around the Horn. Although the original Fresnel lens is no longer in use, the lighthouse is still an active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation using a 24 inch Aero Beacon. - California State Parks

Needs some paint.

This is a little more dramatic photo of the lighthouse:

Once per year at the Pigeon Point Lighthouse they shut down the weak insipid modern (presumably electric) light and switch over the the 5 kerosene lamps and fresnel lens of the original, as it was 135 years ago.

Last night was the night, and it's really quite a sight. When they fire it up there's really a collective sense of "whoa!" from the audience (which was WAY bigger than I expected - I probably had to park a mile away and I was there an hour early). - MumbleyJoe's photos, Flickr

Go read the rest on how he managed to take the photo. Here is some more on the light source:

The lantern room of the tower is equipped with the original first-order Fresnel lens. Infrequently used today, the lens has 24 flash panels, is composed of 1008 hand-polished lenses and prisms, and is capable of producing over 500,000 candlepower illumination. It was manufactured by the Henry-LePaute company in Paris, and was first lit at Pigeon Point at sunset on November 15, 1872.

Originally the tower was equipped with a lamp that burned refined lard oil. In 1888, that lamp was replaced with a mineral oil (kerosene) lamp. To produce Pigeon Point's assigned characteristic of 1 white flash of light every 10 seconds, the four ton lens rotated one time every four minutes. When observed from a distance, this resulted in the appearance of one white flash of light every 10 seconds. The lens rotation was originally powered by a clockwork and weight. In 1926 the lighthouse was provided electricity. Modern innovations were incorporated and the kerosene IOV lamp was replaced by a 1000 watt bulb, the clockwork by an electric motor, and an electrically operated fog signal was eventually installed. - Wiki

Lighthouses are of course meant to be lit, not that you would know it with 99% of lighthouse photos taken during the day!

H/t to Never Sea Land where I originally spotted this lighthouse.

Australia - Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse

Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse, Australia:

The Sugarloaf Lighthouse was completed in 1875, ten years after it was first recommended a light be placed to highlight the nearby Seal Rocks. It was originally intended to place the light on Seal Rocks but landing was difficult the proposition was abandoned.

The tower is constructed of brick, rendered and painted white. Also constructed were three adjoining cottages, various outbuildings, the construction of the road from Bungwahl, and a 1500 foot long jetty which was used to land some 1800 tons of building supplies and materials.. - Lighthouses of Australia Inc (Click for more photos and details)

(Photograph: Annette Flotwell)

You don't often see short lighthouses. Seems that the tall ones get all the attention. Actually, they are kind of cool. I guess these are for you if you like lighthouses and are afraid of heights.

Google Images: "Sugarloaf Point lighthouse"

Lighthouses of Australia Inc
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Montauk Point Lighthouse

Montauk Point Lighthouse, United States:

Welcome to the Montauk Point Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in New York State. The Lighthouse was authorized by the Second Congress, under President George Washington in 1792. Construction began on June 7, 1796 and was completed on November 5, 1796. This historic landmark has been part of Long Island's land and seascape for over 200 years and still serves as an active aid to navigation. - Montauk Point Lighthouse

Construction on the lighthouse was authorized by the Second United States Congress, under President George Washington in 1792. Construction began on June 7, 1796, and was completed on November 5, 1796. The lighthouse and adjacent Camp Hero were heavily fortified with huge guns during World War I and World War II. Those gun emplacements and concrete observation bunkers (which are also at nearby Shadmoor State Park) are still visible.

It was the first lighthouse in New York State, and is the fourth-oldest active lighthouse in the United States. The tower is 110' 6" high. The current light, equivalent to 2,500,000 candle power, flashes every 5 seconds and can be seen a distance of 18 nautical miles (33 km). - Wikipedia

Montauk Point Lighthouse Official website

Google Images: "montauk lighthouse"
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New Jersey Lighthouses - Free Guide Available

New Jersey, being a coastal state, has lighthouses. For tourism reasons they are advertising their 'collection' of lighthouses with a pamphlet.

New Jersey’s lighthouses are majestic beacons, silent sentinels that guard time and mariners alike. It’s a testament to the craftsmanship of their construction that so many lighthouses survive today, after years of fighting the awe-inspiring force of the sea. Each one that remains tells its own fascinating tale of bygone seafarers and the dangers they faced.

As you plan your next vacation, remember to discover New Jersey’s lighthouses. Those open to the public are located in some of the most beautiful and adventurous settings you’ll ever visit. Put them on your travel itinerary and you’ll agree...New Jersey’s lighthouses are still a Must-See!

Lighthouses are many things to many people. To some, they are the seaside sentinels of a bygone era, idyllic landmarks set on picturesque beaches and bluffs. To others, they are a guiding light offering hope and comfort miles out on an often treacherous sea. But no matter what view you hold, everyone agrees on one thing: Lighthouses are simply magical! - NJ Guide

You can download it, or you can order a free copy. (Here)

New Jersey's Seaside Sentinels

Norway - Slettnes lighthouse - Northernmost mainland lighthouse in the world

Slettnes Lighthouse, Norway:

Perched at the very north of the European continent, facing the onslaught of the Barents Sea – in the centre of Slettnes nature reserve. The world’s northernmost lighthouse station on the mainland – Slettnes lighthouse. - Visit Norway

Photo credit: © 2003 Jan Reidar Johansen

Photo credit: Gamvik Kommune website

Many more great photos and map at Vulkaner Norway.

Slettnes at: Norwegian Lighthouse Association

Google Images: "Slettnes lighthouse"

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