Cape Poge Light
Encyclopedia
Cape Poge Light, sometimes called Cape Pogue Light, is at the northeast tip of Chappaquiddick, an island that is part of Martha's Vineyard
, off the coast of Cape Cod
, Massachusetts
.
At least four towers have been built on Cape Poge, with many moves. In 1801 the first 35 feet (11 m) wooden Cape Poge Lighthouse was built for $2,000. During the War of 1812
the light was extinguished for a few months and its apparatus was hidden in the cellar of a Chappaquiddick house. This first lighthouse was moved in 1825 and again in 1838 due to an eroding bluff.
In 1844 a new tower was built for $1,600 and in 1857 supplied with a fourth order Fresnel lens
. However, in 1878 it was reported that the keeper's house would probably "fall into the sea within two years." A third lighthouse was therefore built in 1880.
Finally, in 1893 the current, 35 feet (11 m), white conical wood tower was constructed, 40 feet (12 m) inland from the previous one. The current tower has been moved four times, in 1907, 1922, 1960, and in 1987 when it became the first lighthouse to be moved by helicopter
). The light was automated in 1943. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places
in 1987.
The current light is a 300 mm solar powered beacon that flashes white every 6 seconds and is visible for 9 nautical miles (16.7 km). The light's focal plane is 65 feet (20 m) above mean high water. The light is currently active and is under the auspices of the United States Coast Guard
, however the tower has been transferred and is now owned and operated by The Trustees of Reservations
, who provide tours during the summer season. The lighthouse can be reached via a 3.5 miles (5.6 km) hike from the Dike Bridge or by four-wheel drive vehicle.
The Cape Poge Lighthouse can be seen in the final two shots in the film "Jaws," off to the right as Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss swim back to shore.
Martha's Vineyard
Martha's Vineyard is an island located south of Cape Cod in Massachusetts, known for being an affluent summer colony....
, off the coast of Cape Cod
Cape Cod
Cape Cod, often referred to locally as simply the Cape, is a cape in the easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts, in the Northeastern United States...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
.
At least four towers have been built on Cape Poge, with many moves. In 1801 the first 35 feet (11 m) wooden Cape Poge Lighthouse was built for $2,000. During the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
the light was extinguished for a few months and its apparatus was hidden in the cellar of a Chappaquiddick house. This first lighthouse was moved in 1825 and again in 1838 due to an eroding bluff.
In 1844 a new tower was built for $1,600 and in 1857 supplied with a fourth order Fresnel lens
Fresnel lens
A Fresnel lens is a type of lens originally developed by French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel for lighthouses.The design allows the construction of lenses of large aperture and short focal length without the mass and volume of material that would be required by a lens of conventional design...
. However, in 1878 it was reported that the keeper's house would probably "fall into the sea within two years." A third lighthouse was therefore built in 1880.
Finally, in 1893 the current, 35 feet (11 m), white conical wood tower was constructed, 40 feet (12 m) inland from the previous one. The current tower has been moved four times, in 1907, 1922, 1960, and in 1987 when it became the first lighthouse to be moved by helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
). The light was automated in 1943. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1987.
The current light is a 300 mm solar powered beacon that flashes white every 6 seconds and is visible for 9 nautical miles (16.7 km). The light's focal plane is 65 feet (20 m) above mean high water. The light is currently active and is under the auspices of the United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
, however the tower has been transferred and is now owned and operated by The Trustees of Reservations
The Trustees of Reservations
The Trustees of Reservations is a non-profit land conservation and historic preservation organization dedicated to preserving natural and historical places in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is the oldest regional land trust in the world and has 100,000 dues-paying members...
, who provide tours during the summer season. The lighthouse can be reached via a 3.5 miles (5.6 km) hike from the Dike Bridge or by four-wheel drive vehicle.
The Cape Poge Lighthouse can be seen in the final two shots in the film "Jaws," off to the right as Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss swim back to shore.