Colchester Reef Light (Lake Erie, West)
Encyclopedia
The Colchester Reef Light is a lighthouse
situated on Colchester Reef in the Western Basin of Lake Erie
south of the town of Colchester, Ontario.
It was originally built in 1885 by Colonel William P. Anderson
to replace a lightvessel
that was previously stationed on that location. The original lighthouse tower was demolished in 1954 and the current structure is a white steel skeletal tower with a helicopter landing pad.
It is currently listed on the Canadian List of Lights as Light No. 620 and can be found on the [Canadian Hydrographic Service] Chart No. 2123.
in the late 19th century and early 20th century.
Original architectural drawings from 1882 depict four floors and an attached fog bell tower accessible from the fourth floor. Two floors were designed to be finished living space for the light keeper with the lower (still existing) stone caisson used as a cellar.
and sea gulls. A noise making apparatus was installed in an attempt to scare away these birds. There is no longer a fog signal at this site.
The exposed location (particularly the south side) and northerly climate produced significant stresses on the original 1885 structure including fast moving ice during the winter months. The cement that surrounded the lighthouse's current stone caisson base has eroded on the south side revealing this ongoing damage. The mortar between the stone blocks has deteriorated and is in need of repair.
Lighthouse
A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire, and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways....
situated on Colchester Reef in the Western Basin of Lake Erie
Western Basin of Lake Erie
The Western Basin of Lake Erie is the shallow flat basin that comprises the western third of the lake. Even with average depths of less than 25 feet, this part of the lake contains world famous walleye fishing grounds with numerous charter fishing boats operating out of the U.S...
south of the town of Colchester, Ontario.
It was originally built in 1885 by Colonel William P. Anderson
William P. Anderson
Colonel William Patrick Anderson was a Canadian civil engineer. He was Superintendent of Lighthouses for almost 40 years, and was responsible for many of the more notable lighthouses in Canada.-Early life and career:...
to replace a lightvessel
Lightvessel
A lightvessel, or lightship, is a ship which acts as a lighthouse. They are used in waters that are too deep or otherwise unsuitable for lighthouse construction...
that was previously stationed on that location. The original lighthouse tower was demolished in 1954 and the current structure is a white steel skeletal tower with a helicopter landing pad.
It is currently listed on the Canadian List of Lights as Light No. 620 and can be found on the [Canadian Hydrographic Service] Chart No. 2123.
Architecture
This lighthouse was one of over 500 prominent lighthouses designed and built by William P. AndersonWilliam P. Anderson
Colonel William Patrick Anderson was a Canadian civil engineer. He was Superintendent of Lighthouses for almost 40 years, and was responsible for many of the more notable lighthouses in Canada.-Early life and career:...
in the late 19th century and early 20th century.
Original architectural drawings from 1882 depict four floors and an attached fog bell tower accessible from the fourth floor. Two floors were designed to be finished living space for the light keeper with the lower (still existing) stone caisson used as a cellar.
Current Condition
The current skeletal tower and helicopter landing pad are often populated by an invasive non-native species of cormorantCormorant
The bird family Phalacrocoracidae is represented by some 40 species of cormorants and shags. Several different classifications of the family have been proposed recently, and the number of genera is disputed.- Names :...
and sea gulls. A noise making apparatus was installed in an attempt to scare away these birds. There is no longer a fog signal at this site.
The exposed location (particularly the south side) and northerly climate produced significant stresses on the original 1885 structure including fast moving ice during the winter months. The cement that surrounded the lighthouse's current stone caisson base has eroded on the south side revealing this ongoing damage. The mortar between the stone blocks has deteriorated and is in need of repair.
See also
- Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans List of Lights
- Colchester Reef LightColchester Reef LightThe Colchester Reef Light in Vermont was a lighthouse off Colchester Point in Lake Champlain. It was moved to the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont in 1956....
- Same named lighthouse in Lake ChamplainLake ChamplainLake Champlain is a natural, freshwater lake in North America, located mainly within the borders of the United States but partially situated across the Canada—United States border in the Canadian province of Quebec.The New York portion of the Champlain Valley includes the eastern portions of...
that was moved to the Shelburne MuseumShelburne MuseumShelburne Museum is a museum of art and Americana located in Shelburne, Vermont, United States. Over 150,000 works are exhibited in 39 exhibition buildings, 25 of which are historic and were relocated to the Museum grounds...
in Shelburne, VermontShelburne, VermontShelburne is a town in southwestern Chittenden County, Vermont, United States, along the shores of Lake Champlain. The population was 7,144 at the 2010 census.-History:...
in 1956 - Detroit River LightDetroit River LightThe Detroit River Light, also known as Bar Point Shoal Light, was first established as a lightship in 1875. The current sparkplug lighthouse was built in 1885. It sits in Lake Erie, south of the mouth of the Detroit River, from land and about from the Ambassador Bridge in the Detroit River. It...
- Another lighthouse in the area also built in 1885.