April 15, 2010…Update # 4 - Phase II Restoration of Pemaquid
Point Lighthouse is an $83,000 project being funded and managed by the
nonprofit American Lighthouse Foundation and ALF chapter, Friends of
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
Good Weather Allows for Restoration Efforts to Reach the Top
By Bob Trapani,
Jr.
Since the
start of Phase II restoration at Pemaquid Point Lighthouse on March 16,
2010, the early spring weather has been true to form – unpredictable.
Despite a
couple northeast gales, ‘buckets’ of rain at times, and even a coating
of snow in late March, there has been more than enough interior
repointing work, etc., to keep the crews of J.B. Leslie Company busy
over the
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
(L to R) Jake Johnson and Al Spier work
on cleaning and prepping the tower's
exterior railing system
last month while
waiting for better weather.
Thankfully the
month of April has ushered in a bit more consistent dry weather, which has
enabled the restoration efforts of J.B. Leslie Company to reach up and out
you might say – that is the top of the lighthouse, focusing on ironwork
restoration to components of the lantern’s exterior.
In addition to
ongoing repointing work within the tower along areas such as the window
wells and the brick archway leading from the vestibule to the tower’s base,
crews took to the lantern’s exterior, narrow catwalk to remove years of rust
and deterioration along the railings and stanchions.
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
Dave Eastman works inside a window well
to remove old
coatings from the masonry
The ironwork,
which began during the first week of April, has yielded wonderful
results. Prior to Phase II restoration, there was concern as to whether
the deterioration along the lantern gallery railing was so advance that
it may have compromised the structural integrity of the railing system.
Following a
thorough prep and cleaning process, and subsequent examination, J.B.
Leslie Company determined that the existing ironwork could be saved,
which was great news for the American Lighthouse Foundation and its
chapter, Friends of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse.
The entire process
of restoring Pemaquid Point Lighthouse has revealed fascinating glimpses
into tower’s historic past, which dates back to 1835.
From construction
techniques and original materials used to modifications made inside the
tower at a later date, Phase II restoration has been nothing short of
educational in terms of fascinating discoveries.
Another ‘find’ was
made during week four restoration when masons, who removed old coatings from
the archway between the tower and vestibule, were able to show how the light
tower’s original contractors, ultimately connected the brick vestibule to
the granite lighthouse.
As for the
interior brickwork, repointing of the brick cylinder from top to bottom
looks superb.
“The mortar is
setting up real nice,” said Al Spier, J.B. Leslie Company foreman. “The
natural cement sets up slower than other cements, but it works great.”
Jim Leslie,
president of J.B. Leslie Company, Inc., summed up the firm’s progress
after nearly five weeks at the site, stating, “The project is moving
along smoothly. We have moved into other phases of work now that the
interior repointing process is all but complete, which includes cleaning
and prepping the ironwork on the lantern’s exterior and interior
parapet, replicating the wooden parapet panels and trim work, and
fabricating replica brass handles for the lantern vents that were
missing.”
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
Jim Leslie points out where the brick
vestibule was added after
the light tower's construction
During the week of
April 19th, J.B. Leslie Company hopes to be able to repaint the
exterior of the lantern and begin the process of removing old coatings from
the exterior of the vestibule.
