Old Orchard Shoal Light was a

sparkplug lighthouse A caisson lighthouse (also referred to as a sparkplug lighthouse, or bug light) is a type of lighthouse whose superstructure rests on a concrete or metal caisson. Caisson lighthouses were developed in the late nineteenth century as a cheaper alter ...

in lower New York Bay marking a large shoal area. It was destroyed by

Hurricane Sandy Hurricane Sandy (unofficially referred to as ''Superstorm Sandy'') was an extremely destructive and strong Atlantic hurricane, as well as the largest Atlantic hurricane on record as measured by diameter, with tropical-storm-force winds spann ...

on October 29, 2012.

History

Old Orchard Shoal Light was completed and lit on April 25, 1893.Annual report of the Light-House Board to the Secretary of the Treasury for the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 1893, Treasury Department, Document No 1647 The

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 ...

was removed in 1950. Before moving on to Governor's Island and then finally

Coney Island Light Coney Island Light (also Nortons Point Light) is a lighthouse located in Sea Gate, on the west end of Coney Island, Brooklyn, in New York City, east of New York Harbor's main channel. The lighthouse was first established in 1890. The current ...

Frank Schubert Frank Schubert (1915–2003) was the last civilian lighthouse keeper in the United States. Schubert began working for the United States Coast Guard in 1939. At the time of his death he was serving at the Coney Island Light in Sea Gate, Brookl ...

, said to be the last civilian lighthouse keeper in the United States, was stationed at Old Orchard Shoal Light. Old Orchard Shoal Light is listed on the

National Park Service The National Park Service (NPS) is an agency of the United States federal government within the U.S. Department of the Interior that manages all national parks, most national monuments, and other natural, historical, and recreational propert ...

's Maritime Heritage Program as Lighthouse to visit and as one of New York's Historic Light Stations. On May 29, 2007, the Secretary of the Interior identified Old Orchard Shoal Light Station as surplus under the

National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act The National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000 (NHLPA; Public Law 106-355; 16 U.S.C. 470w-7) is American legislation creating a process for the transfer of federally owned lighthouses into private hands. It was created as an extension o ...

of 2000. The property was described as

Gedney Channel/Lower New York Bay, 3.5 miles south of New Dorp Beach. Remote 35 ft. conical, 3-story "spark plug" style light (1893) with keeper's quarters (approx. 1000 SF). Interior lined in brick up to 3rd floor. On 0.72 acre submerged land. Constructed of cast iron on concrete/cast iron caisson. Markings: white upper/black. Protective riprap and breakwater sheltering light's boat basin. Accessible by boat only.

No group was identified under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act as willing and able to preserve the Old Orchard Shoal Light, and on June 5, 2008, the

General Services Administration The General Services Administration (GSA) is an independent agency of the United States government established in 1949 to help manage and support the basic functioning of federal agencies. GSA supplies products and communications for U.S. gover ...

placed the light up for sale via an auction. The initial bid was $10,000 and the light finally closed on August 27, 2008 at a final bid of $235,000.GSA listing (1-PR-08-005) for Old Orchard Shoal
!-- After a while I'm redirected to a different page but it has nothing to do with the subject. --> The lighthouse was destroyed by

on October 29, 2012."Old Orchard Shoal Light Is No More", Mai Armstrong for Working Harbor Committee, blog post November 9, 2012.
USCG 'Local Notice to Mariners" week 44/12, LLNR 35395 states "Structure Destroyed"

References

{{authority control Lighthouses completed in 1893 Buildings and structures demolished in 2012 Lighthouses on the National Register of Historic Places in New York City Lighthouses in Staten Island Demolished buildings and structures in New York (state) National Register of Historic Places in Staten Island 1893 establishments in New York (state)