Light Houses: Beacons of Hope

Awesome story about the USCG maintains the light on Hitchinbrook Island and the entrance to PWS.

https://gcaptain.com/lighthouses-be...139820873&mc_cid=474835bf02&mc_eid=5b70bcca05

How does a light operate unattended for 6 months at a time in a remote location? Solar powered, auto start diesel genset with big battery bank, or ??? If diesel how is it refueled?


Was all of that construction on top once hauled up by hand, or mules along that trail?


David

Interested me enough to do some snooping and discovered this website, great read!........

Alaskan Sea-Duction said:

Awesome story about the USCG maintains the light on Hitchinbrook Island and the entrance to PWS.

https://gcaptain.com/lighthouses-be...139820873&mc_cid=474835bf02&mc_eid=5b70bcca05

Click to expand...

Tom, Another interesting (former) lighthouse is down your way, south of Astoria at Tillamook Rock. This light was built as a reference to the entrance to the Columbia river and the bar.
Construction was extremely difficult and dangerous, killing one worker. When placed in operation, the buildings would be nearly destroyed by winter storms each year and it was taken out of service in favor of a buoy. Private investors bought the rock and turned it into a musoleum.....seems somewhat appropriate. There's a museum at Canon Beach with lots of info on this light as well as some history on the web.

Interesting history in that Cape Hinchinbrook light. Thanks to Tom for posting it and to Mike for the link he provided. You guys are alright, I don't care what the others on here say!


Just kidding. Happy New Year to you all.

rochepoint said:

Interested me enough to do some snooping and discovered this website, great read!........

Click to expand...

Wow, now that is a cool history lesson.

I buddy boat with a gentleman who’s father was the light keeper back in the 50’s on that lighthouse. This same fellow grew up on Point Retreat Light just outside of Juneau, Alaska

Great to know! Thanks, gents - most enjoyable. Can't figure out the rationale for offing the dogs.

*The lighthouse was automated in 1974 and a solar-powered Vega lens was installed

https://wikivisually.com/wiki/Cape_Hinchinbrook_Light