Baltimore Harbor Light facts for kids
 |
|
| Baltimore Light being fitted with a radioisotope thermoelectric generator on May 20, 1964, making it the first and only nuclear-powered lighthouse in the United States. In the background is the NS Savannah, the first nuclear-powered merchant vessel. | |
 Baltimore Harbor Light
Location in Maryland
Baltimore Harbor Light
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Entrance to the Magothy River, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 39°03′33″N 76°23′56″W / 39.05919°N 76.399°W |
| Year first lit | 1908 |
| Automated | 1964 |
| Foundation | Pneumatic caisson sunk into seabed |
| Construction | Brick |
| Tower shape | Octagonal |
| Markings / pattern | White with brown base |
| Focal height | 52 ft (16 m) |
| Original lens | Fifth order Fresnel lens |
| Range | White 7 nautical miles (13 km; 8.1 mi) Red 5 nautical miles (9.3 km; 5.8 mi) |
| Characteristic | _Red_Sector_082-160.gif){kind=small} Flashing white 2.5 sec, with one red sector |
| Fog signal | none |
| Admiralty number | J2228 |
| ARLHS number | USA-034 |
| USCG number | 2-8035 |
The Baltimore Harbor Light is a cool lighthouse in the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. It's also known as the Baltimore Light. This lighthouse has been helping ships find their way since 1908. It sits near the mouth of the Magothy River. Its job is to guide boats towards the Patapsco River and then into the busy Baltimore harbor. When it was built, it was the tallest lighthouse of its kind in the world!
In 2006, the Baltimore Light was sold to private owners. The U.S. Coast Guard still uses the light on top.
Building a Lighthouse
People started asking for a lighthouse here in 1890. But construction didn't begin until 1904. Building a lighthouse in the water is a big job!
A Stormy Start
In October 1904, a strong storm hit the construction site. It flipped over the huge caisson. A caisson is like a giant, watertight box. It helps build foundations underwater. This one sank to the bottom of the Bay.
The company building it couldn't finish the job. So, work stopped for a while. Construction finally started again in late 1905. The special lens was put in place, and the light turned on in 1908. This was the last lighthouse built on the Chesapeake Bay.
Nuclear Power for a Lighthouse?
In May 1964, something really unique happened. The Baltimore Light became the first and only lighthouse in America to be powered by nuclear energy! This was a test. They used a special device called a radioisotope thermoelectric generator. It made electricity from a small nuclear source.
But this nuclear power didn't last long. Just one year later, in 1965, the nuclear generator was removed. A regular electric generator was put in its place. Today, the lighthouse uses solar power to shine its light.
A Historic Landmark
The Baltimore Light is more than just a lighthouse. It's also a historic place! On December 2, 2002, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It's officially known as the Baltimore Light Station on this list.
- For more information, you can check out the Light Stations of the United States MPS document.
