Rockland Harbor Breakwater Light facts for kids
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| Rockland Harbor Breakwater Light | |
 Rockland Harbor Breakwater Light
Location in Maine
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| Location | Rockland Harbor, Rockland, Maine |
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| Coordinates | 44°06′14.55″N 69°04′39.16″W / 44.1040417°N 69.0775444°W |
| Year first constructed | 1888 |
| Year first lit | 1902 |
| Automated | 1964 |
| Foundation | Stone Breakwater |
| Construction | Brick |
| Tower shape | Square, with attached dwelling |
| Markings / pattern | Red Brick Tower |
| Focal height | |
| Current lens | VRB-25 |
| Range | 17 nautical miles (31 km; 20 mi) |
| Characteristic | Flashing white every 5s |
| Fog signal | HORN: 1 every 15s |
| USCG number | 1-4130 |
The Rockland Harbor Breakwater Light is a famous lighthouse in Rockland, Maine. It stands at the very end of the long Rockland Breakwater. This lighthouse helps ships find their way safely into Rockland Harbor.
The light started working in 1902. This was about two years after the huge breakwater was finished. Today, the lighthouse works all by itself, without a keeper. It is still an important guide for boats. In 1981, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a special historical site.
Contents
About the Rockland Breakwater Light
The city of Rockland is on the coast of Maine. Its harbor was a safe place for ships during bad weather. But strong storms from the northeast could still cause problems. These storms showed that the harbor needed more protection.
Building the Breakwater
So, in 1880, the United States government decided to build a breakwater. A breakwater is a long wall built into the water. It protects a harbor from big waves. The United States Army Corps of Engineers built this one. It took them 20 years, from 1880 to 1900. The breakwater is over 4,000 feet (1,200 m) long. That's longer than 13 football fields!
History of the Light
Before the current lighthouse, there was a simple oil lamp. It was placed on a wooden stand in 1827. This was at Jameson Point, the start of the breakwater. As the breakwater grew, the lamp moved.
The lighthouse you see today was finished in 1902. It includes the light tower and the keeper's house. In 1964, the light became automated. This means machines took over the job of the lighthouse keeper.
From 1973 to 1989, a nearby resort helped take care of the lighthouse. In 1990, the United States Coast Guard fixed up the lighthouse. Then, in 1999, they gave it to the City of Rockland. Now, volunteers help keep the building in good shape. The Coast Guard still takes care of the light itself. In 2003, a boat ramp was added for visitors.
What the Lighthouse Looks Like
The lighthouse stands on a strong granite base. This base is at the end of the breakwater. The main building has a keeper's house. This house has a special roof called a gambrel roof.
Next to the house is a brick building. This is the fog signal house. The light tower rises from this building. The tower is square. It has an iron railing and a walkway around the top. This is where the bright light shines out.
Lighthouse Keepers
For many years, people called "keepers" lived at the lighthouse. They made sure the light was always working. They also operated the fog signal when it was foggy. It was a very important job to guide ships safely.
Here are some of the people who kept the light shining:
- Eba Ring (1888?–?)
- Llewelyn C. Ames (around 1895–1902)
- Howard P. Robbins (1902–1909)
- Leroy S. Elwell (1909–1916, and again 1925–1928)
- Harold I. Hutchins (1916–1917)
- Fairfield H. Moore (1917–1921, and again 1928–1934)
- Winfield P. Kent (1921–1925)
- George E. Woodward (1934–1945)
Images for kids
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Undated US Coast Guard photo
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View from the north end of the breakwater
