mainelylighthousesandotherthings

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POST 5: (05/06/2021) Name of the site: Spring Point Lighthouse Date and Time of Visit: May 6, 2021, 16:15 (4:15 pm) Facts about the Lighthouse: Just like the Rockland Breakwater, the Spring Point Light wasn’t always there. This time the light was built to warn vessels of the channel into Portland Harbor. Too many vessels ran aground or hit reefs leading into Portland Harbor, as the land extended quite far out past the fort on the opposite side of where Spring Point Light now stands and the harbors channel. It was in 1832, according to lighthousefriends.com that a Lime Coaster ran aground and burned as it sank right where Spring Point Light would eventually come to stand. Even though countless vessels and large tankers sank, burned, or ran aground, the officials in Maine thought that a buoy to mark the channel would be helpful enough, because of the other lighthouses in the area, most of which are about a mile or so away from Spring Ledge. It wouldn’t be until late in 1897 that construction on Spring Point Light was completed and two keepers moved in. Spring Point is an interesting light. It has four floors, a cellar, the assistant’s quarters and the main keepers quarters, as well as a kitchen. The top of the light contains the light, which was a Fresnel lens until it became automated, and the fog horn’s mechanisms. Spring Point also only used to be accessible by boat. The breakwater we now see today was not completed until 1951! Today you can visit Spring Point Light, and walk the breakwater. It is on the far edge of the SMCC campus in Cape Elizabeth. Although I am unsure due to COVID, Spring Point light also offers tours of the renovated interior of the lighthouse. It has been refurbished and filled with period furniture to take you back in time! My Visit: My visit to Spring Point Light was not my first, and probably won’t be my last. I have been going to see this spark plug light, which is one of only three in Maine since I was born. This time I took my best friend, Taylor along with me. It was refreshing to go on this small adventure with her, because we have pretty much gallivanted all over the United States together since we were 14, but one place we had never been together was Maine! The weather was so beautiful on Wednesday, there was a cool breeze, and the sun was shining! It was definitely refreshing to be in the sun! There weren’t too many people out and about when we were there, I think they must’ve all been over at either Bug Light (which you can see from Spring Ledge) or Portland Head Light, which if you turn towards the shore at the end of the breakwater, you can see clearly. I am sad to say that this will be my last post in Maine for a while, as I am now home in Massachusetts for the summer. But this doesn’t mean that I am through with this blog. I intend to make lots more posts about things I find here in Massachusetts, and Maybe even across the country, who knows! Pictures Included: 1) Spring Point Light as you are walking towards it 2) Spring Point Light from the start of the Breakwater 3) Taylor! 4) Me (isn’t my bestfriend talented with a camera?!) 5) Up close and personal with Spring Point Light 6) Picture of Spring Point Light when it was a stand alone. (Picture from lighthousefriends.com) 7) My Dad and I 8) My Mom Sources: https://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=545 https://www.history.uscg.mil/Browse-by-Topic/Assets/Land/All/Article/1990991/spring-point-ledge-lighthouse/

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POST 4: (04/19/2021)
Name of the site: Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse 
Date and Time of Visit: April 19, 2021. 06:30 (6:30am)
Facts about the Lighthouse: Long before the lighthouse existed, the breakwater stood. But the breakwater wasn’t always there, it was actually completed the first time in 1899. But after more intense storms ripped through the area, it was decided that the breakwater needed to be taller to help protect the town and harbor on the other side of the breakwater. During this heightening period is when they also added the base for a lighthouse to be built. 
It is interesting to note that the reason the lighthouse was built wasn’t due to navigational issues or low waters in the area, it was actually because the breakwater was now in the way of vessels entering and exiting the neighboring harbor. RB Lighthouse was finished in 1902 and has been in service ever since its completion. Reaching 25ft, the beacon flashes a white light every 5 seconds and can be seen almost 20 nautical miles away. It is also equipped with a foghorn that can blast every 15 seconds. RB Light was fully automated in 1965, meaning that there is no longer a need for a lightkeeper. Although it is interesting to mention that even though it is fully automated, you can become a pseudo lightkeeper by logging onto the ‘Friends of Rockland Harbor Lights’ website and clicking the live camera link. Today, the light is an active registered aid to navigation maintained by the US Coast Guard. But the rest of the lighthouse is owned by the city of Rockland and is leased out to the American Lighthouse Foundation. During the summer months, Friends of Rockland Harbor also offer tours of the lighthouse including on the top by the lens! 
My Visit: This time I tried something new and really enjoyed myself! I tried a vlog-style way of recording my trip instead of just pictures of the location. It was pretty fun to try, but I am not sure if it is something that I will continue to try either to get better at or maybe even try a different way altogether. I woke up around 4:15 to get to the breakwater light this time, and I think it was really worth it. (Although I managed to miss sunrise by about 20 mins, and my GPS telling me that I had arrived at the lighthouse in the middle of an intersection smack-dab in the middle of a residential area…) I had never been here before. I did talk to my Father before going and he did send me some pictures. But for me, it was all brand new. The nearly two-mile walk out and back on the breakwater was surprisingly easy despite my ability to tell when I am halfway or not, and the weather was decent as well (although as soon as I reached my end destination the wind picked up and I decided that it was time to leave. I think the only annoying, not really bad thing that occurred on this trip was the horrible drive on RT 1 that I took. It was the fastest route but was just the worst to drive.
Pictures Included: 1) Video “Sunrise(ish) at Rockland Breakwater 2) The Lighthouse 3) The House 4) Plaque on the Light 5) Flag Pole dedication rock 6) Lighthouse picture from my Dad’s collection 7) The house also from my Dad’s collection. 
Sources: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlYXckJahHo&t=8s 
https://www.rocklandharborlights.org/history/ 
http://www.lighthousefoundation.org/lighthouses/rockland-breakwater-light/

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POST 3: (03/14/2021) Name of the site: Portland Breakwater Light AKA Bug Light Date and Time of Visit: March 14th, 2021 Facts about the Lighthouse: Portland Breakwater Light, known as Bug Light sits on a small breakwater in South Portland, Maine. Believe it not, Bug light was originally a wooden structure but was quickly replaced with a cast iron version and placed at the end of a breakwater in 1875. The new Bug Light was distinguishable by its fancy columns, and pretty cast work at the top towards the light. Its decorative touch was a nod to Athens and its architecture. It stands out in comparison to other Maine Lighthouses due to these decorative touches, but also because of how short the light actually is. For comparison, Portland Head is 80 feet tall, and Bug is roughly 30 feet tall. Its short stature and appearance make for an unforgettable visit. Unfortunately between its rebuild in 1875 and 1989, the lighthouse, although kept by a lightkeeper fell into disrepair. The cast iron rotted, and rusted away, leaving the light an eyesore to those who visited it. An extensive repair took place, and Bug was reactivated in 2002. Today, Bug Light is registered as a Private Aid to Navigation by the United States Coast Guard, and its 250 mm optic blinks a white light every couple of seconds. Bug Light isn’t the only attraction over in that part of Casco Bay, there is a huge park behind the lighthouse that is popular with Kiteflyers, in fact, there is an annual Kite flying festival every year held here. There is also a huge Liberty Ship Memorial at the park. This memorial is home to a replica skeleton of what a WWII Liberty Ship would look like. inside there are memorial plaques and information pannels that outline Maine and her residences’ hard work and dedication to the war. Before Bug light park was a park, the light was actually part of a massive Navy yard that could build 10+ Liberty Ships at a time. My Visit: I again chose a blustery, cold day to tour Bug Light Park. I was greeted by such a strong wind that I am sure I resembled a cartoon character trying to walk against the wind! But I had a really good time. This was my first solo lighthouse trip, as all of my roommates were at work when I went to the park. It was only about a 30-minute drive from USM with light traffic, so it wasn’t too bad. Once at the park, and after fighting the wind I made my way over to the Lighthouse for some obligatory selfies and pictures of the lighthouse. I remembered the last time I was at Bug, which was probably around 1999, it was pretty rusty and in need of some serious TLC. But that day, she was clean, with minimal rust spots. I took cover on the far side of the lighthouse where I sat on the concrete ledge where the wind couldn’t touch me. From there I could actually see Spring Point Light, but none of those pictures came out well enough for me to share here. After hiding from the wind I ventured over at a quick pace (with the wind pushing me) towards the WWII Liberty Ship Memorial. There I read all of the information panels about the building of the ships and the men and women of Maine who served their time for the war effort. But alas the wind got the better of me, so I headed back to my car with my wind-whipped cheeks peeking out from under my facemask. I sat in my car for a good 15 minutes after that reviewing all of my pictures, making sure I got enough stuff for this blog, as well as watching a tiny BoatUS boat try and make it through the rough swells in the bay. Overall, it was a great day, and I am even thinking about going back to see all the Kites! Pictures Included: 1) Bug Light Park Sign 2) Bug Light Restoration Sign 3) Bug Light and the Breakwater 4) Bug Light and Me 5) Historical Plaque 6) Bug Light through a view-finder 7 & 8) Rusty Bug Light circa 1999 (From my Dad’s Collection) 9 & 10) The Liberty Ship Memorial Sources: https://www.visitportland.com/blog/2020/03/11/bug-light-park/#:~:text=near%20the%20entrance.-,history,by%20six%20decorative%20Corinthian%20columns. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=50474

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POST 2: (02/15/2021) Name of the site: Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse, York Maine Date and Time of Visit: February 15, 2021, 11:15 (11:15 am) Facts about the Lighthouse: Cape Neddick Light Station, also known as Nubble Light sits on a small rocky island off the coast of York Maine. It actually gets its name, Nubble, for the small “Nub” of land on which it sits. You can only get to the island at very low tide, or by dingy. Nubble light was finished being built in 1879. At first, the Lighthouse Service, consisting of men and women ran the lighthouse. But in 1939 the United States Coast Guard serviced the lighthouse. Every lighthouse serviced by the Coast Guard has one service member (man or woman) who mans the lighthouse alongside their immediate families. I actually have a small, insignificant connection to Nubble Light. In the summer of 1969, my Grandfather was transferred to Fletchers Neck Lifesaving Station. That summer the Lightkeeper had earned some time off and was in need of a Coastie to come stay the weekend at the lighthouse. My grandfather was chosen, and off he headed to the Lighthouse. Arriving at low-tide my grandfather walked out to Nubble and met the lightkeeper, whose family was already on the mainland waiting for him. The keeper showed my grandfather everything he needed to know and finished by telling him to help himself to any of the food in the house. “It wasn’t too hard of a job unless something went wrong. If I couldn’t see Boone Island Light, I was to turn the light on, and every hour or so I had to call over the radio to report the weather.” My grandfather remembered. “It was a really quiet night, there ended up being no food in the lighthouse other than instant cream of wheat. And I found myself talking to the cat.” Other than completing his hourly and daily duties, as well as talking to the cat, he said the highlight of his stay was exploring the small island. “I went around the island, just to pass the time. It was so nice outside, and the tide was low.” On the backside of the island [which you can’t see from the now tourist attraction], there are lots of rock that lead down to the shore below (because it was low tide) So he headed down but that is when he noticed the water receding. He apparently thought to himself that it was weird the water receded that quickly. It wasn’t until the water was headed right for him that he realized it was a giant swell that was about crash into him. Back to the significance of Nubble Light- The area of Cape Neddick is incredibly rocky and dangerous for even the most seasoned boater. In fact, there were many shipwrecks where Nubble would come to stand, which is in part why President Rutherford B. Hayes gave $15,000 for the erection of a lighthouse on the “Nub”. The most famous shipwreck was the wreck of the “Isidore”, which went down in 1842. Sadly all of the crew aboard the “Isidore” passed away. Today, it is said that a phantom ship haunts the seas of Cape Neddick (Yankee). Today the Coast Guard no longer serves as Lightkeepers, as Nubble was completely automated in 1987. Now the Town of York owns and preserves the land and Light, while the Coast Guard runs the Aids to Navigation (the light and horn). There are many fun facts surrounding Nubble and its Rich history in Maine. Here are two, and an added bonus: It gets decorated for Christmas and for Christmas in July There are pictures of Nubble in space! (on Voyager 2, described as the most iconic American Lighthouse) Here is a Live cam link to Nubble Light: http://nubblelight.org/webcam4/ My Visit: I went to Nubble on February 15th with my two friends Kaylee and Daphne. They also had gone with me to Portland Head Light. (Sadly, Maddy could not join us this time around) It was incredibly cold in York, but not as cold as when we went to Portland Head Light. But it was much windier than PHL. We sat in the car for a while and just watched the waves. It was really peaceful to be by the ocean once again. When we got out of the car and headed towards the rocks, Daphne realized that we couldn’t actually get over to the lighthouse, which was quite funny, even an older couple laughed when they heard her yell “OH! You can’t get there from here!!” Pictures Included: 1) Nubble Light 2) Me waving from Nubble Light 3) Kaylee and Daphne 4) Nubble From a Distance 5) Rock Marker 6) Vintage Photograph of Nubble while it still had its Bell Tower (from my Dad collection) Sources: http://nubblelight.org/history/ https://newengland.com/yankee-magazine/travel/maine/york/nubble-lighthouse/

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POST 1: (02/13/2021) Name of the site: Portland Head Light, Cape Elizabeth Date and Time of Visit: January 31st, 2021, 14:38 (2:38 pm) Facts about the Lighthouse: Portland Head Light is Maine’s oldest lighthouse, being lit for the first time in 1791. Being one of the first lighthouses, Portland Head Light was under the supervision of The United States Department of Treasury from 1790-1852, and eventually the United States Coast Guard until 1990 when the town of Cape Elizabeth started leasing the land. “Three years later, through the efforts of United States Senator George Mitchell, the property was deeded to the Town. The United States Coast Guard maintains the actual light and the fog signal, but the remainder of the property is managed by the Town of Cape Elizabeth.” (Portland Head Light Website, Cited at the bottom of this post). Today, Portland Head Light and Fort Williams Park are both popular with tourists and locals alike. There is plenty to do from walking the paved paths, hiking near the children’s garden, play disc golf, and enjoy the ocean view from almost any point in the park. Portland Head Light has a long and important significance and history here in Maine, and all over the world. Portland Head was actually the first lighthouse completed by the United States’ new federal government. (The US Lighthouse Society) Lighthouses are typical in coastal towns all over America. There are special characteristics to lighthouses depending on where they are located. Like in the Northeast, with the exception of maybe one or two lighthouses, are all solid in color, and are not typically made of brick, or wood. Since their beginning lighthouses have been Aids to Navigation, helping the countless novice and even experienced boat captains navigate waters in all kinds of weather. Historical Fact: On Christmas Eve in 1886 the Annie C. Maguire hit the rocks at Portland Head Light, resulting in the sinking of the vessel. All onboard the ship survived (The Captain, his wife, two first mates, and the nine-member crew) “The cause of the wreck is puzzling since visibility was not a problem. Members of the crew reported they “plainly saw Portland Light before the disaster and are unable to account for same.” (Portland Head Light Website, Cited at the bottom of this post). Picture of Memorial Rock in 1999 and in 2021 included in Blog. My Visit: I went to Portland Head Light on January 31, 2021, with my three best friends. It was a balmy 6 degrees outside, but sunny, and there was an incredibly strong wind. We wanted to take our time walking around the lighthouse, but it was so cold that our eyelashes were freezing, resulting in mascara running down our faces. Starting first on the side of the Christmas Eve Shipwreck of 1886. It was so cold the ocean below us created giant chunks of salty ice floating on the top of it, and frozen foam gathered near the rocky shore. It was so incredibly beautiful, and peaceful. As well as incredibly quiet. The ocean breeze and crashing water sounds were the only sounds I needed to hear that day. Pictures Included: 1) My cute friends! Kay, Daph, and Maddy 2) Me and Portland Head Light (and Maddy’s Shadow) 3) Looking back at Fort Williams 4) Looking towards the shipwreck site (2021) 5) Looking towards the shipwreck site (1999) 6) Looking up at the light (1999) 7) Dad and I 8) My Mom 9) Vintage Portland Head Light (from my Father’s Collection) Sources: https://www.history.uscg.mil/Browse-by-Topic/Assets/Land/All/Article/1981918/portland-head-light/ https://portlandheadlight.com/about-us https://uslhs.org/education/glossaries-facts-trivia/lighthouse-facts#:~:text=The%20first%20lighthouse%20in%20America,and%20eventually%20reconstructed%20in%201784.