Saturday, February 18, 2012

Moose Peak Light

Moose Peak Light  (Maine today media) - click
  Out in Moosabec Reach offshore of Jonesport and Beals Island we find Mistake Island.  In 1825 Congress and President John Quincy Adams appropriated money to build a lighthouse.  A 24 foot tall rubblestone tower was built along with a dwelling, the tower was topped with a wrought iron lantern with a copper dome.  The house was a distance away from the Light, they were connected with a walkway across a chasm between the two.  During a storm in February 1842 a huge wave overswept the island and knocked the lantern off level, that stopped the apparatus for the light from working.
  In 1851 the house was completely rebuilt and a new tower was constructed as well.  The Light was automated in 1972, and in 1982 a military team blew up the house as a training exercise.  The island itself, except for the light, is property of The Nature Conservancy.  Solar power was added in 1992.
A Coast Guard photo from the 1870's.  That's a lot of bare rock.
An aerial view provided by the Coast Guard.

No comments:

Post a Comment