Tangier Sound Light

Infobox Lighthouse


caption = Undated photograph of Tangier Sound Light (USCG)
location = South of Tangier Island in the Chesapeake Bay
coordinates = coord|37.7878|N|75.9740|W|type:landmark
yearlit = 1890
automated =
yeardeactivated = 1961
foundation = screw-pile
construction = cast-iron/wood
shape = square house
height = 45 ft
lens =
currentlens =
range =
characteristic = white 6 sec flash with red sector The Tangier Sound Light was a lighthouse located south of Tangier Island in the Chesapeake Bay.

History

This light was constructed in 1890 to mark a shoal extending south from Tangier Island, delimiting the western edge of the sound. Its exposed location made it vulnerable to ice, and on February 15, 1905, the sunken pungy "Mary L. Colburn" was lifted up by the ice and cast against the lighthouse. The light survived when the wind changed and blew the wreck clear. In the only other incident of note, the assistant keeper was drowned in 1914 in spite of an attempted rescue by the keeper. At some later date the light was surrounded by rip rap to protect it from ice.

As with other screw-pile lights in the bay, the house was removed in 1961 and an automated light set upon the foundation.

References

* [http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/WEBLIGHTHOUSES/LHVA.html Virginia Light Stations] , from the United States Coast Guard website
* [http://205.156.4.52/cgi-bin/EyeSpy.dll?launchpad&D:/EyeSpy/images/Online_Chart_Viewer/12228.axs&wsx=750&wsy=550&bgcolor=ffffff&aligX=1&aligY=1 NOAA Nautical Chart 12228] Chesapeake Bay: Pocomoke and Tangier Sounds
*cite book
last= de Gast
first= Robert
title= The Lighthouses of the Chesapeake
year= 1973
publisher= Johns Hopkins University Press p. 168