Grandique Point Lighthouse facts for kids
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| Grandique Point Lighthouse | |
 Grandique Point Lighthouse
Location in Nova Scotia
Grandique Point Lighthouse
Location in Canada
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| Location | Lennox Passage Provincial Park, Isle Madame, Nova Scotia |
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| Coordinates | 45°35′36.6″N 61°01′20.3″W / 45.593500°N 61.022306°W |
| Year first constructed | 1884 (first) |
| Year first lit | 1906 (current) |
| Automated | 1961 |
| Construction | wooden tower (current) pole (first) |
| Tower shape | square pyramidal tower with gallery and lantern |
| Markings / pattern | white tower with red lantern and trim |
| Height | 9.5 metres (31 ft) |
| Focal height | 9.2 metres (30 ft) |
| Original lens | 6th order dioptric, fixed red |
| Range | 7.0 nautical miles (13.0 km; 8.1 mi) |
| Characteristic | LFl G 6s. (flash 2 sec; eclipse 4 sec) Operates at night only, seasonal |
| Admiralty number | H3392 |
| CHS number | CCG 729 |
| NGA number | 9267 |
| ARLHS number | CAN-208 |
The Grandique Point Lighthouse is a special light that helps boats find their way. It's also called the 'Grandique Ferry Lighthouse'. This lighthouse guides ships through Lennox Passage, a water channel between Cape Breton Island and Isle Madame in Nova Scotia, Canada.
You can find the lighthouse on the beach at Grandique Point. It's inside Lennox Passage Provincial Park. You can reach it by driving on a gravel road within the park. The area around the lighthouse is open for visitors to explore, but you can't go inside the tower.
The First Grandique Point Light
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The very first light at Grandique Point was set up in 1884. Back then, it was just a simple pole with a light on top. The official name 'Grandique' wasn't used until 1956.
After the St. Peters Canal opened, more boats started using Lennox Passage. To keep everyone safe, more lights were needed along the route. Daniel Clough was the first person to look after the light at Grand Dique. He earned $54 a year for his work.
This first light shone a steady red color. It came from a small lantern placed on a 7.2 metres (24 ft) pole. There was also a small white shed at the bottom. This shed was used to store the light and other tools during the day.
In the late 1800s, the lighthouse was surrounded by busy docks. These docks were used for limestone and plaster quarries. Farmers from Isle Madame also brought their crops and animals to sell there. A passenger ferry also landed very close to the lighthouse. You can still see signs of these old features today.
Because the land at Grandique Point was slowly wearing away, the pole light had to be moved in 1900.
The Lighthouse Today
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In 1906, people decided to build a stronger lighthouse at Grandique Point. Lawrence Mury built it for $452. The new lighthouse was ready for boats to use in 1907.
From 1922 to 1941, the lighthouse used a special lens called a 6th order dioptric lens. It showed a steady red light that could be seen up to 7 nautical miles (13 km; 8.1 mi) away. The light only worked during certain seasons, from April to January.
By October 1961, the light was changed to run on electricity. It became automated, meaning it turned on and off by itself. It used a 6-volt battery system and a special "sun switch." A caretaker still looked after it.
In 1963, storms and beach erosion damaged the lighthouse. It had to be moved again, about 15 metres (49 ft) to the south. When regular electricity was connected in 1977, the light became seasonal again. It operated from May 1 to December 15.
In the winter of 2010, the lighthouse was moved to where it stands now. Today, the light flashes green for 2 seconds, then goes dark for 4 seconds, every 6 seconds. It can be seen up to 7 nautical miles (13 km; 8.1 mi) away. It only operates at night and during certain seasons.
Stanley Forgeron was the last person to be a lightkeeper at Grandique. He started in 1960. He was there when the light became automated in 1961 and then became a caretaker.
People Who Kept the Light
Here are the people who looked after the Grandique Point Lighthouse:
- Daniel Clough (1884-1908)
- D A Kaulbach (1908-1909)
- C A Kaulbach (1909-1919)
- Charles Shannon (1909-1923)
- John Doiron
- Henry Young
- Melvin Shannon (1939-1960)
- Stanley Forgeron (1960-1961)
- Stanley Forgeron (as caretaker) (1961-1968)
