 |
| Halfway Rock Light |
Halfway Rock is a tiny ledge 10 miles east of Portland Head Light, it's name implies it's position that is halfway between Cape Elizabeth and Phippsburg in Casco Bay.
The Light was built in 1871, constructed of granite it stands sentry on the ledge at 76 feet tall. It flashes red every 30 seconds, and the fog bell sounds twice every 30 seconds.
Originally the keepers quarters were in the tower, a kitchen on the first level, the principal keepers bedroom on the second, and the other keepers bedroom on the third level. The light had a fifth order Fresnel Lens the shone steady white with a red flash every six seconds, it had a clock mechanism that was wound every 24 hours, the original bell also had clock like machinery and had to be wound every day; all of the devices were checked every hour.
Halfway Rock was automated in 1975 with an optic lens; the Fresnel Lens is location in the museum at the U S Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT.
 |
| This 1960's photo shows the original bell tower and water tank (back right) |
 |
| A Coast Guard aerial view shows the rock. |
No comments:
Post a Comment