Tarpaulin Cove Light facts for kids
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| 1896 view, including the lightkeeper's house and fog station | |
 Tarpaulin Cove Light
Location in Massachusetts
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| Location | Naushon Island Gosnold, Massachusetts |
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| Coordinates | 41°28′7.74″N 70°45′26.991″W / 41.4688167°N 70.75749750°W |
| Year first constructed | 1818 |
| Year first lit | 1891 |
| Automated | 1941 |
| Foundation | Concrete |
| Construction | Brick |
| Tower shape | Tower with small white building attached to west side. |
| Markings / pattern | White with black lantern |
| Height | 28 feet (8.5 m) |
| Focal height | 78 feet (24 m) |
| Original lens | 5th order Fresnel lens 1856 4th order Fresnel lens 1891 |
| Current lens | 12 inches (300 mm) |
| Range | 9 nautical miles (17 km; 10 mi) |
| Characteristic | Flashing white, 6 sec |
| Fog signal | Bell 1891-1938 |
| Admiralty number | J0470 |
| ARLHS number | USA-835 |
| USCG number | 1-15580 |
The Tarpaulin Cove Light is a historic lighthouse on Naushon Island in southern Massachusetts. This island is one of the Elizabeth Islands. The lighthouse is located in the town of Gosnold, Massachusetts. People first set up a light here privately in the 1700s. The lighthouse tower you see today was built in 1891. It stands 78 feet (24 m) above the water. Its bright white light can be seen from 9 nautical miles (17 km; 10 mi) away, helping ships find their way.
A Long History of Helping Ships
Naushon Island is part of the Elizabeth Islands. This chain of islands separates Buzzards Bay from Vineyard Sound in Massachusetts. Tarpaulin Cove is on the south-central coast of Naushon Island. It's a place where the coastline curves.
In 1759, a local tavern owner named Zaccheus Lumbert started a light on the western shore of the cove. He did this to help whalers and coastal ships. This private light was kept working until 1807. Then, the government decided to build an official light station there.
However, there were money problems, so a new light wasn't built right away. Finally, in 1817, a tower made of rubble was built. This was the first official lighthouse at Tarpaulin Cove. It was formally staffed by a lightkeeper.
In 1856, a new brick tower was built on a concrete base. This tower replaced the older rubble one. The exact height of this tower is a bit unclear, with some sources saying it was 38 feet (12 m) tall and others 27 feet (8.2 m). Building it cost $10,000.
A lightkeeper's house was built in 1890 for $3,000. This house was taken down in 1962. Today, you can only see small parts of its old foundation. The tower itself was replaced again in 1891. This new brick tower was 28 feet (8.5 m) high. It had a cast iron lantern house at the top.
A fog bell was also added to the station in 1891. This bell would ring to warn ships when it was foggy. Sadly, a very strong storm, the 1938 New England hurricane, destroyed the fog station. It was never replaced after that.
The lighthouse became automated in 1941. This means it no longer needed a person to operate it all the time. In 1967, a new lens was put in. This lens helps the light shine brightly. The Tarpaulin Cove Light still helps ships navigate today. The Cuttyhunk Historical Society helps manage the lighthouse facilities. In 1987, the light station was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
