Lubec Channel Light

Lubec Channel Light
Location Lubec, Maine
Coordinates 44°50′31.387″N 66°58′35.822″W / 44.84205194°N 66.97661722°W / 44.84205194; -66.97661722Coordinates: 44°50′31.387″N 66°58′35.822″W / 44.84205194°N 66.97661722°W / 44.84205194; -66.97661722
Year first constructed 1890
Automated 1968
Tower shape Conical Tower
Markings / pattern White tower on black pier
Focal height 53 feet (16 m)
Current lens 6.1 inches (155 mm)
Range 6 nautical miles (11 km; 6.9 mi)
Characteristic Fl W 6s
Fog signal HORN: 1 every 15s
Admiralty number H4161
ARLHS number USA-459
USCG number

1-860[1][2][3]

Lubec Channel Light Station
Nearest city Lubec, Maine
Area less than one acre
Architect US Army Corps of Engineers
MPS Light Stations of Maine MPS
NRHP Reference # 88000152[4]
Added to NRHP March 14, 1988

Lubec Channel Light is a sparkplug lighthouse in Lubec, Maine. Established in 1890, it is one of three surviving sparkplug lights in the state, and served as an important aid to navigation on the St. Croix River It is set in shallow waters in the Lubec Channel, about 500 feet (150 m) from the Canada–United States border. The lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Lubec Channel Light Station on March 14, 1988.[4] The lighthouse was sold by auction into private hands on 2007.[5]

Description and history

The town of Lubec is located in far eastern Maine, standing across the international border from Canada's Campobello Island. The St. Croix River passes between the two, which are joined by the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Bridge. South of the bridge lies a shallow bay, which opens into the Gulf of Maine after passing West Quoddy Head Light. In the 1880s a channel was dredged through the shallows to facilitate seagoing commerce from the port communities of Lubec, Eastport and Calais, all located on the river. An 1883 report recommended installation of a light on the channel to aid navigation, funding was authorized in 1888, and the light went into operation in 1890. It was automated in 1939.[6]

The light is set to on the west side of the channel, and is mounted on a concrete foundation set in the muddy river bottom. Its lower stage is a cast-iron round base, which flares out to support a wide deck. Originally sheltered by a shed roof, this deck is now exposed. The tower's second stage rises above, with a railing around its top, and a narrow third stage which supports the lantern house, also surrounded by a deck and railing. The lantern house is crowned by a spherical ventilator.[6] The lantern stands 53 feet (16 m) above Mean High Water.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: Maine". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. 2009-08-06.
  2. ↑ Light List, Volume I, Atlantic Coast, St. Croix River, Maine to Shrewsbury River, New Jersey (PDF). Light List. United States Coast Guard. 2009. p. 10.
  3. ↑ Rowlett, Russ (2009-10-09). "Lighthouses of the United States: Eastern Maine". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  4. 1 2 National Park Service (2009-03-13). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  5. ↑ Clark, Sue (October 2, 2007). "New Owner of Lubec Channel Lighthouse: Gary Zaremba". Lighthouse News.
  6. 1 2 "NRHP nomination for Lubec Channel Light" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved 2015-10-31.
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