Saybrook Breakwater Lighthouse

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Saybrook Breakwater Light

(Old Saybrook, Connecticut)

The first lighthouse built at Old Saybrook was the Lynde Point light built on the main land at the mouth of the Connecticut River. Even with the Lynde Point Light, the harbor was difficult to navigate due to shifting sand bars at the harbors entrance. So it was decided to dig a channel for entrance into the harbor. In the 1875 a stone jetty was built on the west side of the harbor entrance and in 1880 a parallel jetty was built on the eastern side. A deep channel was then dug between them. Having completed the channel, Congress, in 1882, appropriated money to build a lighthouse on the end of the western jetty.

The new light was completed in 1886 and was first lit on June 15^th. It became known as the Saybrook Breakwater Light. Since the Lynde Point Light continues in operation, the Saybrook Breakwater Light is often referred to as the outer light whereas the Lynde Point Light is referred to as the inner light. The lights are one and one-half miles apart.

The Saybrook Breakwater Light is a white 49-foot cylindrical cast iron tower that is lined with bricks. It is similar to other area lights built around the same time – such as Latimer Reef Light built in 1884 and Orient Point Light built in 1899. The lighthouse tower sits on top of a caisson filled with concrete and surrounded by rip rap placing the focal plane of the light at 58 feet. It contains a basement, 4 floors, a watch room and a lantern room.

When built, it was equipped with 17 oil lamps and a fifth-order Fresnel lens. Later, in 1890, the lens was upgraded to a fourth-order Fresnel lens. In 1917, the lamp was changed to an incandescent oil vapor type, and in 1959 the light was automated and today contains a 300 mm modern optic. The characteristic of the light is a fixed white light with a red sector. The red sector warned of an incorrect approach to the harbor. The light was automated in 1959 and today it flashes a green light.

Fog signal was initially created by a 1000 pound bell in 1889. Based on local noise complaints, it was later replaced by a 250 pound bell. This was later replaced by a fog horn. In 1936 two powerful diaphragm horns were installed.

The inner and outer lights when viewed together provide an interesting perspective of two different styles of lighthouses used in the 19^th century. Early in the 1800s the lighthouses were primarily constructed as masonry towers, where as later in the century cast iron caisson lighthouses were primarily built. A similar perspective is provided in the New Haven Harbor. And although the New Haven Harbor Light (5-mile Point Light) is deactivated, the tower remains as a view of early and mid 1800s lighthouse construction.

Directions: The lighthouse is located at the end of a private road and difficult to view from the land. It is best viewed from a boat.

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