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American Lighthouse Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 565
Rockland,
Maine 04841
Phone: 207-594-4174
Fax: 207-596-1091
info@lighthousefoundation.org
The American Lighthouse Foundation is a
Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Organization dedicated to the
preservation of America's historic
lighthouses & lightships and
their heritage.
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2007 Sandy Neck Lighthouse Update
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March 7,
2007:
“I would like to
report that we have in fact placed the order for the casting of the lantern
to be placed upon the top of the Sandy Neck Lighthouse. We did this through
Gary Knappenberger of Enberg Mold and |
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Tool. Gary has
informed us that he expects the castings to be completed and shipped to
us by mid-April.
At that point
in time we will arrange to have the lantern fabricated. We anticipate
that this will take place in the early to mid-spring. Following the
fabrication we will need to hire a glazer to enclose the lantern. |
Photo by Jeremy D'Entremont
Sandy Neck Light Station,
Barnstable, MA
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After completing the enclosure of the lantern, we will
approach the U.S. Coast Guard about the possibility of relighting Sandy Neck
Lighthouse as a private aid to navigation. The majority consensus of the
public that has been supporting this project is that they would like to see
a flashing light of some type installed in the lighthouse. It is my
understanding though that from a historically-accurate point of view, the
light was not flashing, but rather consisted of a fifth order Fresnel lens
showing a fixed light.
Since Sandy Neck is not located on the mainland, and can only
be viewed by most people from across Barnstable Harbor, the admonition that
we |
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Photo by Jeremy D'Entremont
The present tower was constructed
in 1857
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have been receiving is that people desire to look out at
the sentinel and see it as a lighthouse – not simply as a ‘street
light.’ Accordingly, in view of the wishes of the contributing
consensus, we will be asking the Coast Guard for permission to install a
flashing optic. We anticipate a solar powered unit will eventually light
the optic.
The Sandy Neck Lighthouse Restoration Committee (SNLRC)
is very grateful to Dick Moehl, president of the Great Lakes Lighthouse
Keepers Association, for allowing our committee the use of their molds
for the casting of our lantern. Our agreement with Mr. Moehl was that
the SNLRC would pay $11,000 for the use of the molds, but he has
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kindly deferred the payment as we work to complete the
project.
As I have tried to indicate to the lighthouse community in
the past, SNLRC is severely lacking in funds, as I suspect most groups are.
Any support we can obtain from the public will help greatly to reduce or
minimize the costs of the lantern replacement project, and would assist |
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us in
achieving our long-term goals of financing not only the restoration of
this particular project, but at some point in time, having sufficient
funds to ensure its long-term maintenance.
Once this
phase of the project is completed, we will then move on to the
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National Archives Photo
A vintage image showing Sandy Neck Light
Station in its days of service as a guiding light
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restoration of the
oil house adjoining the light tower. The keeper’s quarters needs restoration
as well, but in view of the fact that the light station is privately owned
and not accessible to the public, the Sandy Neck Lighthouse Restoration
Committee will concentrate its efforts at this point and time solely on the
tower and oil house.
According to Ken
Morton, owner of the historic light station property, the Sandy Neck
Lighthouse was decommissioned in 1931 by the United States Lighthouse
Service, at which time the tower’s optic and lantern were |
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Photo by Jeremy D'Entremont
The public views Sandy Neck Light from a
distance from across Barnstable Harbor
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removed. The present lighthouse was constructed in 1857,
though the original lighthouse at the site was built approximately 30
years prior.
It would be very fitting if we could conclude this
lantern restoration project and relight the beacon during the 150th
anniversary of the present light tower’s |
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existence. The Sandy Neck Lighthouse Restoration Committee is looking into
the possibility of establishing a celebration of sorts when this occurs.
Obviously, we have a great deal of work remaining prior to such an event
becoming reality, but we’re making good strides.”
Respectfully submitted by Ron S. Jansson, Chairperson
Sandy Neck Lighthouse Restoration Committee
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April 15,
2007
On April 15th
the Sandy Neck Lighthouse Restoration Committee attempted to install the new
lantern atop the “headless” lighthouse but |
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| ran into some difficulties. According to
Jim Walker, one of the key individuals involved in the project, who also
happens to serve as the chairperson for the American Lighthouse
Foundation’s Cape Cod Chapter, “The attempt to install the lantern on
Sandy Neck Light yesterday failed because the new uprights do not fit
the roof panels; however, the uprights do fit the old walls. The lip
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Photo Courtesy of Jim Walker
The new disassembled cupola for the
lighthouse...note the ventilator ball in
the foreground
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for the lantern
glass is also off by about a ¼" so we’re going back to the drawing board and
will fix the situation.”
May 8,
2007
On May 8th
Jim Walker was happy to report, “We installed the modified uprights this
past Sunday – everything will be fine. The roof panels will be |
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Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
Jim Walker, lighthouse
preservationist on Cape Cod
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installed on
June 2nd, at which time the glazer will take his
measurements. From there the glass panes will be installed thereafter.”
To learn more
about the Sandy Neck Lighthouse Restoration Committee or to make a
donation to help the group continue to fund their ongoing projects at
the site, contact them at:
Sandy Neck Lighthouse Restoration Committee
c/o Cape Cod Chapter, ALF
P.O. Box 570
North Truro, MA 02652
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Posted: 5/29/07 |
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