Duxbury Pier Lighthouse

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Duxbury Pier (“Bug”) Light

(Plymouth, Massachusetts)

The Duxbury Pier Light is located in Plymouth Harbor on the north side of the main channel. The light was installed to protect mariners from the dangerous shoal off of Saquish Head. The light is also referred to a “The Bug Light”. The tower is 47 feet tall and contains a three level living quarters.

The lighthouse utilized a caisson construction method where a large cast-iron cylinder was sunk on the bottom and filled with rock and concrete to form a foundation. Caisson lighthouses, sometimes also referred to a “sparkplug” style, were very sturdy and better able to withstand the pressure of flowing ice.

Initially, the lantern room housed a fourth order Fresnel lens. This was removed and replaced with a 250 mm modern optic when the lighthouse was automated in 1964. The red light has a focal plane that is 35 feet above the water, flashes in a group of two every ten seconds, and can be seen at a range of approximately six nautical miles. Both the light and fog signal were converted to solar power in 1984.

After being automated in 1964, the unmanned lighthouse became an object of vandalism. The Coast Guard eventually slatted this light house for replacement. The intent was to replace it with a “fiberglass pole” type structure, like that of the current Deer Island Light (see photo). Local residents formed Project Bug Light. With the help of congressmen and senators, the group convince the Coast Guard to change their plans. The group was successful and instead of replacing the light, the Coast Guard, from 1983 through 1985, worked on the existing lighthouse - sandblasting, painting, and performing repairs. The Bug Light Project raised additional funds for restoration of some of the upper portions and the interior. But with time Project Bug Light grew inactive and with continued deterioration and additional vandalism, the Coast Guard in 1993 again renewed their plans to replace the lighthouse with a fiberglass pole type structure. A new preservation effort was initiated by Dr. Don Muirhead of Duxbury and the Coast Guard once again canceled the replacement plans and in 1996 refurbished the lighthouse.

Project Bug Light is now active and continues to raise money towards the maintenance of the light.. Their Web site is at www.buglight.org.

The light is best viewed by boat. Friends of the Boston Harbor host periodic lighthouse cruises that go by this lighthouse.

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All pictures are the original work of Rick Totton and are protected under copyright laws.

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