Chatham Lighthouse, known as Twin Lights prior to 1923, is a lighthouse in Chatham, Massachusetts, near the "elbow" of

Cape Cod Cape Cod is a peninsula extending into the Atlantic Ocean from the southeastern corner of mainland Massachusetts, in the northeastern United States. Its historic, maritime character and ample beaches attract heavy tourism during the summer mont ...

. The original station, close to the shore, was built in 1808 with two wooden towers, which were both replaced in 1841. In 1877, two new towers, made of cast iron rings, replaced those. One of the towers was moved to the Eastham area, where it became known as Nauset Light in 1923.

History

The station was established in 1808; it was the second light station on

. To distinguish it from Highland Light, the first Cape Cod light, and to act as a

range Range may refer to: Geography * Range (geographic), a chain of hills or mountains; a somewhat linear, complex mountainous or hilly area (cordillera, sierra) ** Mountain range, a group of mountains bordered by lowlands * Range, a term used to i ...

, twin octagonal wooden towers were built. They were on skids so that they could be moved to keep them in line with the entrance channel as it shifted. Samuel Nye was appointed as the first Keeper of the Chatham Lights by President Jefferson on October 7, 1808. The light had an interesting history afterwards. *1841 The wood octagonal towers are replaced with two brick towers *1857 Fourth order

Fresnel lens A Fresnel lens ( ; ; or ) is a type of composite compact lens developed by the French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel (1788–1827) for use in lighthouses. It has been called "the invention that saved a million ships." The design allows the c ...

es are installed, fueled by lard oil *1877 New twin towers of brick, lined with cast iron, and a keeper's dwelling are built further from the shore, because of erosion concerns *1893 A brick oil house is added *1923 Northern tower of the pair is moved roughly north to become Nauset Light *1939 Chatham Light, kerosene fueled since 1882, and rotated via a clockwork drive, is converted to electricity; the light remains active during WWII *1969 The Fresnel lens is moved to Atwood House Museum, replaced with a Carlisle & Finch rotating light generating over 2.8 million candlepower *1982 Automated *1983

Aerobeacon An aerobeacon is a light assembly used to create a fixed or flashing signal visible over long distances. It consists of a high intensity electric lamp mounted with a focusing device in a cylindrical housing, which usually is rotated on a vertical ...

s installed in the lantern room *1993 New DCB-224 aerobeacons are installed Chatham Light was added to the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic ...

as Chatham Light Station on June 15, 1987, reference number 87001501. File:Chatham Lighthouse 1877 tower original lantern MA.JPG, The remaining 1877 tower with its original lantern. Note the

LARC-V LARC-V (Lighter, Amphibious Resupply, Cargo, 5 ton), is an aluminium-hulled amphibious cargo vehicle capable of transporting 5 tons. It was developed in the United States during the 1950s, and is used in a variety of auxiliary roles to this ...

to the right. File:Chatham Light, Chatham, Cape Cod, Mass (72826).jpg, Postcard, circa 1940s File:Chatham Light, Chatham, Mass (84742).jpg, Postcard, circa 1960s File:Chatham Lighthouse 1877 tower replacement lantern MA.JPG, The 1877 tower with the replacement (1969) lantern

Light keepers

The following individuals were the principal light keepers over the years. * Samuel Nye (1808 – 1813) * Joseph Loveland (1813 – at least 1833) * Samuel Stinson (at least 1835 – 1839) * Lot Norton (1839 – 1841) * Collins Howes (1841 – 1845) * Simeon Nickerson (1845 – 1848) * Angeline M. Nickerson (1848 – 1862) * Charles H. Smith (1862 – 1872) * Josiah Hardy Jr. (1872 – 1899) * Charles H. Hammond (1899 – 1907) * James T. Allison (1907 – 1928) * George F. Woodman Jr. (1928 – 1940) * George T. Gustavus (1940 – 1945).

Current status

Today, the former keeper's house is an active U.S. Coast Guard station, and on-duty personnel living quarters. Search and Rescue, maritime law enforcement, and Homeland Security missions are carried out here. Flotilla 11-01 of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary operates from this station.

In popular culture

The Chatham Lighthouse is featured in the film '' The Finest Hours'' depicting the US Coast Guard's rescue of the '' SS Pendleton'' in 1952 off the coast of Chatham. All four of the Coast Guard crew received the Coast Guard's Gold Lifesaving Medal.

References

{{Authority control Lighthouses completed in 1808 Lighthouses completed in 1879 Lighthouses on the National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts Chatham, Massachusetts Lighthouses in Barnstable County, Massachusetts National Register of Historic Places in Barnstable County, Massachusetts Historic district contributing properties in Massachusetts

History

Light keepers

Current status

In popular culture

See also

References