Staten Island Light facts for kids
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| Location | New York City |
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| Coordinates | 40°34′33.8″N 74°08′28.5″W / 40.576056°N 74.141250°WCoordinates: 40°34′33.8″N 74°08′28.5″W / 40.576056°N 74.141250°W |
| Year first lit | 1912 |
| Foundation | Grey limestone |
| Construction | Yellow Brick |
| Tower shape | Octagonal |
| Markings / pattern | Natural |
| Height | 90 feet (27 m) |
| Focal height | 231 feet (70 m) |
| Original lens | Second Order Fresnel lens |
| Range | 18 nautical miles (33 km; 21 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fixed White (F W) (lit 24 hours, visible only on range) |
| Admiralty number | J1082 |
| ARLHS number | USA-809 |
| USCG number | 1-34795 |
The Staten Island Range Light, also known as the Ambrose Channel Range Light, is the rear range light companion to the West Bank Lighthouse.
The original hardware, including the second magnitude Fresnel lens and glass reflector, remain in place. However, the original mineral oil-burning lamp has since been replaced with a 1000 watt General Electric-manufactured Airway Signal incandescent lamp, with the backup light, which automatically turns on in the event of primary lamp failure, being the same. Many lighthouses have transitioned to LED systems, but this legacy equipment remains in use at this light.
The Staten Island Range Light also has a second light, the Swash Channel Rear Light. This light is also a steady white light beacon, and shines continuously 24 hours a day. The Swash Channel is not a major shipping lane like the Ambrose Channel. Rather, it is akin to a "secondary road," connecting the Ambrose Channel with the Sandy Hook Channel. This secondary light is not within the lantern room, as is the main light, the Rear Ambrose Channel Light.
Both the Ambrose Channel Light, as well as the Swash Channel Light, have backup lights independent from each of the main lighting systems (and the main systems' backup lamps). Neither light blinks or rotates, and each is only visible on range. Additionally, the Staten Island Range Light may be powered by banks of on-site batteries in the event of power failure.
It was designated a New York City Landmark in 1968 and remains a valuable aid to navigation for ships entering the Ambrose Channel in Lower New York Bay. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.
