Burlington Breakwater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Burlington Breakwater
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | Lake Champlain, off downtown Burlington, Vermont |
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| Area | 9.8 acres (4.0 ha) |
| Built | 1836 |
| Built by | Dept of War; Whitney, Luther |
| Architectural style | Breakwater |
| NRHP reference No. | 02000711 |
| Added to NRHP | June 6, 2003 |
The Burlington Breakwater is a special wall built in Lake Champlain. It helps protect the harbor of Burlington, Vermont from big waves. This amazing structure was built over many years, from 1836 to 1890. It's a rare example of a breakwater made from timber (wood) and stone from the 1800s. Because it's so important, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.
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What is the Burlington Breakwater?
The Burlington Breakwater is located in Burlington Bay. This bay is part of Lake Champlain. The breakwater acts like a shield. It keeps the city's port safe from the open water to the west.
The main part of the breakwater is very long, about 3,793 feet (1,156 meters). There's also a shorter section to the north, about 364 feet (111 meters) long. A 200-foot (61-meter) wide channel separates these two parts.
How is the Breakwater Built?
The breakwater has seven sections. These sections are laid out in a zig-zag shape. This design helps it follow the natural curve of the shoreline. The parts you can see are covered with different kinds of stone.
Under the water, the breakwater is built with timber cribs. These are like big wooden boxes. They are filled with smaller stones. The lower parts of these wooden boxes are made from hemlock wood. The upper parts use white pine. These wooden boxes are joined together with special notches. Over time, some of the upper wooden parts have rotted. They have been replaced with stone to keep the breakwater strong. In 1961, the side of the breakwater facing the lake was covered with riprap. This is a layer of loose stones that protects it from waves. Modern lights are now placed at the ends of the breakwater.
The History of the Burlington Breakwater
The oldest part of the breakwater is about 1,000 feet (305 meters) long. It was built between 1836 and 1854. This section forms the middle of the breakwater you see today. It was built as part of a plan by the United States War Department. Their goal was to make the major ports on Lake Champlain safer for ships.
The Story of the General Butler Shipwreck
Near the southern end of the breakwater, you can find the shipwrecked General Butler. This ship hit the breakwater during a storm in 1876. It sank, but luckily, all the passengers and crew made it safely onto the breakwater before the ship went down. Today, the General Butler is a popular spot for divers to explore underwater.
