Vandalism Claims Keeper's House

Sambro Island Lighthouse is North America's oldest operating lighthouse located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. In September, vandals set fire to the primary keeper's residence of the Sambro Island Lighthouse, resulting in a total loss of the structure. Although this lighthouse is still in operation, the incident illustrates how quickly history can be lost, especially at lighthouses that have been abandoned or are only periodically checked by the organization charged with maintaining them.

Losing a house is devasting, but it can be replaced, unlike losing a piece of history, which is irreplacable. The Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society may decide to rebuild the primary keeper's residence with a replica, but it can not replace the valuable stories and artifacts that were tied to the original structure.

The full story by Chris Mills, with pictures of the arson, can be read at Lighthouse Digest October 2008 Archive.

Lighthouse GPS File

I must say that I have always had a knack for directions, so why I decided I needed a GPS system is beyond me. I am not sure where my general knack for directions come from - hereditary (my father is generally good with directions as well) or from my past experience as a delivery driver (some things about driving directions are universal no matter where you find yourself). Regardless, I purchased a Garmin nuvi 205w GPS and I must say I have not been entirely thrilled. Maybe the hype over the GPS systems led me to expect more than what is realistic.

As many of you know, I love visitng lighthouses, so to add all of the lighthouses in the United States to the GPS's Point of Interest (POI) database would be wonderful. With that in mind, I found a lighthouse POI listing (free) at Travel by GPS and downloaded it to my new Garmin. Needless to say, the file is not worth the time downloading.

First, many of the so-called lighthouses in the POI file are automated navigational lights at the end of piers and not actual lighthouses. One of the lighthouses listed was a Christian ministry. I have nothing against Christian ministries, but that was not exactly what I was looking for in this POI file.

Secondly, the directions in the POI file do not actually take you to the lighthouse it is suppose to. Take for instance the two lighthouses I tried to visit in Virginia using the POI file on the GPS. The first one I went to see was the Ferry Point Wharf Light (as it turns out, one of those automated pier lights) outside of Portsmouth, VA. The Garmin's directions were impeccable. They took me right to within 1000 feet of the lighthouse. The problem was I was on a gravel road in the middle of a cotton field and to get to the lighthouse I would have had to drive through the cotton field and trees that stood between the river bank and where I was located. I did not get to see the lighthouse and my trip cost about 2 hours worth of time. The next day, I attempted to visit the Tue Marshes Lighthouse outside of Gloucester, VA. After 6. some odd miles turned into 24, I found myself at the end of someone's personal property with several NO TRESPASSING! signs posted. The lighthouse was again, just beyond my view. Disgusted and disappointed, I headed home. On the way, I decided that I could build a more accurate lighthouse POI file with detailed notes. I would leave off all the lighthouses that can not be accessed by car, or make a notation that the lighthouse is only visable by boat. So I have set about this project and hope to have it complete by the end of winter. I will keep you posted on when it is complete.

Angel's Gate Restoration & Preservation

Angel's Gate Lighthouse sits along a 40 foot breakwater in Los Angeles Harbor. Like many of the structures in California, the lighthouse is subjected to the forces of nature - namely earthquakes. When the structure was built in 1879, earthquake building codes did not exist. The lighthouse has sustained damage over the years from southern California's multiple earthquakes and severe storms.

Like many other lighthouses, once automated, maintenance becomes an afterthought. Restoration and preservation efforts are usually undertaken by private not-for-profit organizations. The Boater's Yacht Club has proposed doing just that, using a fund specially created to reduce boater hardships due to the commerical success of the port.

I think this is a great idea and hope that it comes to fruition, but if it doesn't, all is not lost. If the yacht club is serious about its restoration and preservation, it can petition the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The National Trust earmarks funds for project just such as this. They also have the expertise when it comes to historic preservation.

This project will have to be conducted in two phases - restoration and preservation. Although many people use the two terms interchangably, they are have very different meaning. Restoration refers to returning the structure to its original state, as much as possible. Preservation means to conduct routine maintenance on the structure to prevent it from falling into disrepair again.

It will be almost impossible for the restoration of this lighthouse to be completely historic. For one, the lighthouse will have to meet the earthquake building codes that have been put in place since it was originally built. This alone will prevent the restorers from restoring the lighthouse to it's original form. Estimates for the restoration appear to be between $1.5 and $2 million dollars. The preservation is a different story. Preservation costs will be much higher, because preservation does not cease. It is an ongoing affair that carries the project indefinitely into the future. A prime example of this is the Currituck Beach Lighthouse in Corolla, North Carolina. The Outer Banks Conservationists spent 20 years restoring the lighthouse and are now entering the preservation phase of their project.

To read Sue Clark's article on the Angel's Gate Lighthouse in the Lighthouse News, please follow the link below.

Earthquakes and Storms Damage Lighthouse