[HOME] [SCREENSAVERS] [DOWNLOAD] [PURCHASE & REGISTRATION] [LIGHTHOUSE FACTS] [WALLPAPER] [USER'S GUIDE]
|
[HOME] [SCREENSAVERS] [DOWNLOAD] [PURCHASE & REGISTRATION] [LIGHTHOUSE FACTS] [WALLPAPER] [USER'S GUIDE]
|
|
New London Harbor Light (New London, Connecticut)
New London is located at the mouth of the
Thames River in Connecticut. Being
a popular whaling port in the 18th and 19th centuries, a
need for a lighthouse to help direct the ships was needed. A light was set up as early as 1750 but little is known about
it and it was determined that a more substantial light tower was needed, so in
1760 land was purchased from the Harris family on the western side of the harbor
entrance and a 64-foot stone tower was built. This light was the first lighthouse built on the Long Island
Sound and the fourth lighthouse built in North America. Unlike some other lighthouses, the New
London Harbor light survived the American Revolution with out damage. Many thought the 64-foot lighthouse tower was too low and was
hard to distinguish it from the homes in the area. In 1799 the tower began to crack and something needed to be
done. So in 1801 a new lighthouse
tower was built. It was a 89 foot
octagonal tower, which still stands today making it the oldest lighthouse in
Connecticut. The original light
source came from 11 lamps w/13-inch reflectors.
The increased height and a flashing light set it apart from the lights of
the local homes.
A new keeper’s house was built in 1818.
The present keeper’s house was built in 1863 with enlargement made in
1900. In 1857 a fourth-order
Fresnel lens was installed. It is
still being used today. The light
is a fixed white light with a red sector added to warn ships of the dangerous
Sarah Ledge. In 1912 the incandescent oil vapor lamp was
replaced by an automated acetylene beacon.
The property was sold at auction. Today
the lighthouse can be seen from Pequot Ave.
The grounds are not open to the public.
The lighthouse can be seen quite well from the water and many of the
ferries servicing Block Island and Long Island provide excellent views. Directions: From I-95, take the Frontage Road exit to Coleman St. Go South to Bank Street and turn left. Turn right on Montauk Avenue, follow to the end at Pequot Avenue, 4 blocks from the lighthouse.
[Back to the Connecticut Lighthouses Page]
|
|
All pictures are the original work of Rick Totton and are protected under copyright laws. Do not reproduce any images from this website without permission of the author. Copyright (c) 2000 Rick Totton.
|
Besides the new tower, an oil house and a
cistern building was also built.