Sankaty Head Light

The Sankaty Head Light is a lighthouse located on Nantucket island. It was built in 1850, was automated in 1965, and is still in operation. It is located at the easternmost point of the island, in the village of Siasconset. It was one of the first lighthouses in the United States to receive a Fresnel lens.

Sankaty Head Light
Sankaty Head Light
LocationSiasconset, Massachusetts
Coordinates41°17′03.78″N 69°57′58.45″W
Year first lit1850
Automated1965
FoundationBrick
ConstructionBrick / Granite
Tower shapeCylindrical
Markings / patternWhite with red band midway and black lantern
Tower height70 feet (21 m), 158 feet (48 m) from sea level
Focal height48 metre 
Original lensSecond order Fresnel lens
Range24 nautical miles (44 km; 28 mi)
CharacteristicWhite, flashing every 7.5 sec
Heritageplace listed on the National Register of Historic Places 
Sankaty Head Light
LocationNantucket, Massachusetts
NRHP reference No.87002028 [1]
Added to NRHPOctober 15, 1987

History

The shoals off the eastern coast of Nantucket had a long history as a hazard to navigation. The United States government decided in the 1840s that a prominent lighthouse should be erected to alert mariners to that hazard. Congress appropriated $12,000 for its construction in 1848, with additional funds totaling $8,000 in following years. The light went into service in February 1850.[2] The tower is 60 feet (18 m) high; its lower portion is constructed of brick, and its upper part is granite. The light's turning mechanism was powered by a weight-driven brass clockwork,

A brick house was built next to the tower at the time of its construction to house the light keeper's family.[2] In 1887 this house was torn down and a new structure was built.[3] Renovations to the tower at the time included installation of a new lantern section, adding some 10 feet (3.0 m) to its height.

In 1933 the light was electrified, and the mechanical works to turn it were taken out of service.[3] Its original lens was removed in 1950, and is now at the Nantucket Whaling Museum.[4] The light was fully automated in 1965.[2]

Sankaty Light at its current location. The former location is where the benches are

In 1987, the lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Sankaty Head Light. The 'Sconset Trust acquired the lighthouse in 2007, and had it moved away from the eroding bluff (approximately 400 feet (120 m)) in October of that year.[2]

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  2. "Sankaty Light History". New England Lighthouses. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  3. "NRHP nomination for Sankaty Head Light". Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  4. "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: Massachusetts". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. Archived from the original on 2017-05-01.
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