Sharps Island Light facts for kids
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| Sharps Island Light, 2009 | |
 Sharps Island Light
Location in Maryland
Sharps Island Light
Location in the United States
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| Location | SW of Tilghman Island, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland |
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| Coordinates | 38°38′21″N 76°22′33″W / 38.6391°N 76.3757°W |
| Year first lit | 1838 (original), 1866 (second), 1882 (current) |
| Automated | 1938 |
| Deactivated | 2010 |
| Foundation | Concrete caisson |
| Construction | Cast iron |
| Tower shape | Frustum of a cone |
| Height | 35 feet (11 m) |
| Original lens | Fourth-order Fresnel |
| Current lens | 9.8 inches (250 mm) acrylic |
The Sharps Island Light is a famous lighthouse in Maryland's Chesapeake Bay. It stands about 3 miles (5 km) southwest of Tilghman Island. This lighthouse is well-known because it leans, much like the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. This tilt happened in 1977 due to a large piece of ice.
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History of Sharps Island Lighthouses
The Sharps Island Light has a long and interesting history. It is actually the third lighthouse to stand in this spot.
The First Lighthouse (1838)
The very first lighthouse on Sharps Island was built in 1838. However, the island itself was slowly washing away (eroding). Because of this, the lighthouse had to be moved in 1848 to a safer spot.
The Second Lighthouse (1866)
A new lighthouse was built in 1866. This one was a screwpile lighthouse, which means it stood on long metal piles screwed into the seabed. It was built close to where the first lighthouse had been.
This second lighthouse lasted until 1881. In that year, a huge piece of ice crashed into it. The ice was so powerful that it pushed the lighthouse right off its foundations! Amazingly, the lighthouse floated almost five miles down the Chesapeake Bay. The lighthouse keepers were still inside during this wild ride! Luckily, it eventually ran aground, and the men were able to escape safely.
The Current Lighthouse (1882)
The lighthouse you see today is a sparkplug lighthouse. It was built in 1882. It has a strong concrete base called a caisson. The tower itself is made of cast iron and stands 35 feet (11 meters) tall.
The original light inside was a special Fresnel lens. This lens was replaced in 1977 with a new one. The light shines from 54 feet (16 meters) above the water. The tower also had living spaces for the keepers.
In 1938, the United States Coast Guard made the light automatic. This meant lighthouse keepers were no longer needed to live there. Since 1977, the lighthouse has leaned about 15 degrees because of the ice damage. It looks unique, but it is not in good shape.
Protecting a Historic Landmark
The Sharps Island Light is an important part of history. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 22, 1982. This list helps protect important historical sites. It is also one of many historic places along the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.
Sadly, the lighthouse is also on the Lighthouse Digest Doomsday List. This list includes lighthouses that are in danger of being lost. In 2006, there was a plan to sell the lighthouse under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. The light was turned off (deactivated) in January 2010.
Images for kids
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1885 photo of lighthouse, when it was still upright
