Cape Hinchinbrook Light facts for kids
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| Cape Hinchinbrook Light | |
 Cape Hinchinbrook Light
Location in Alaska
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| Location | Hinchinbrook Island Prince William Sound Alaska United States |
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| Coordinates | 60°14′14″N 146°38′48″W / 60.23734°N 146.64665°W |
| Year first constructed | 1910 (first) |
| Year first lit | 1934 (current) |
| Automated | 1974 |
| Foundation | concrete and rock |
| Construction | reinforced concrete tower |
| Tower shape | octagonal tower with lantern |
| Markings / pattern | art deco architecture white tower, black lantern |
| Height | 67 feet (20 m) |
| Focal height | 237 feet (72 m) |
| Original lens | Third order Fresnel lens (Now on display) |
| Current lens | Vega lens |
| Range | 19 nautical miles (35 km; 22 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 15s. obscured from 134° to 135° and 138° to 283° emergency light, Fl W 6s. of reduced intensity if main light is extinguished. |
| Admiralty number | G6592 |
| ARLHS number | ALK-002 |
| USCG number | 6-1125 |
The Cape Hinchinbrook Light is a lighthouse located in Alaska, United States. It stands near the southern tip of Hinchinbrook Island. This important light helps guide ships safely into Prince William Sound.
History of the Lighthouse
The first Cape Hinchinbrook Lighthouse was built in 1910. Its main job was to mark the entrance to Prince William Sound. This made it safer for boats to navigate the waters.
The U.S. Congress approved money for the lighthouse in 1906. They gave $125,000 in total. The money was given out over a few years. Construction finally began in 1909.
While the main building was being built, a temporary light was set up. It was a simple white light on the second floor. This helped ships even before the lighthouse was finished.
In 1927 and 1928, strong earthquakes hit the area. These quakes made the ground around the lighthouse unstable. Because of this, a new lighthouse was needed. It had to be built on solid rock to be safe.
The new lighthouse was finished in 1934. It is an octagonal (eight-sided) tower. It stands about 67 feet (20 m) tall. In 1974, the lighthouse became automated. This means it no longer needed people to operate it. A special solar-powered Vega lens was installed.
The original lens was a "third order Fresnel lens". These lenses are very powerful and were used in many lighthouses. This old lens is now on display. You can see it at the Valdez Museum and Historical Archive in Valdez.
In 2005, the Cape Hinchinbrook Light Station was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical site. The listing included several buildings and objects at the station.
