Ooops, I see that a year ago I intended to add phototiura to my blogroll, and got distracted . . . never happened til now. And here was that “bright lights” post almost a year ago; to see the other two, just type “bright lights” into the search window.
Mimicking a question from “bright lights,” guess the whereabouts 0f the light below. Answer at end of post.
Here, within Fort Story, is old Cape Henry light, the FIRST ever public works project of the US federal government; winning bid went to a New York bricklayer for just over $17,000 dollars. It took about a year to complete.
After a century of use, it was replaced in 1881 by the new Cape Henry light.
The old Cape Henry light is open
Here are both lights as seen from the Chesapeake Bridge-Tunnel. Correct me if I’m missing some alternate explanations, but there were a full dozen bulkers anchored just outside the CBT, Is this an uncommon economic indicator?
Cape Charles light, on the opposite side of the mouth of the Chesapeake is a skeleton tower.
Those ponies are fattening themselves on cold salt marsh grass, so the light out beyond the loblolly pines must be the
Assateague light, marking the channel between Assateague and Chincoteague. By the way, just south of Chincoteague is an island popular for birding and fishing called . . . Assawoman. Would I kid about that?
I had to foto the caveat at the end of the first paragraph below. I do respect the honesty.
Benjamin Harrison was president from 1889 until 1893; I wonder if he launched an investigation of lighthouse effectiveness after the wreck of Despatch. What has become of past presidential yachts? Who was the last president to enjoy an official presidential yacht?
All fotos by Will Van Dorp, whose journey to be smitten by the beauty of other watersheds and ports soon ends. Back to work.
Top lighthouse was Tybee Island Light Station, just east of Savannah. “Tybee” is the Yuchi word for “salt.” Hmm.
Anyone have more lighthouse fotos/stories to share?
8 comments
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January 4, 2010 at 5:43 pm
Les Sonnenmark
If you shot the photos this weekend, the bulkers were anchored avoiding the heavy weekend and holiday surcharges by pilots, tugs, linehandlers and anyone else connected with berthing the ships. And if they load or unload their cargoes, the shoreside terminal crews called in for the weekend will be getting overtime, too. They’ll all dock on Monday. I remember seeing this when I worked in the Sixth Borough many years ago.
January 4, 2010 at 7:04 pm
tugster
les–thanks for finding the variable i hadn’t. i took those pics around noon today, monday. and happy new year.
January 4, 2010 at 7:21 pm
Matthew
I was at Assateague back in November, doing some bird and other nature watching at the NWR. http://brooklynbachelor.blogspot.com/2009/11/misc-sights.html I missed that sign about the stripes being added in ’63. That’s when I got my stripes!
January 4, 2010 at 8:58 pm
O Docker
Most SF Bay area sailors know the tale of how FDR’s yacht, Potomac, came on hard times and was abandoned to rot in the Sacramento River delta.
How it got there is a cool story involving various nefarious types and intrigue. It was restored not too many years ago and and is now open to the public for static tours in the Oakland Estuary and for cruises. It’s a common sight out on the bay. The boat’s recent history may not be as well known outside this area. I think it was the last official presidential yacht.
http://www.usspotomac.org/
January 4, 2010 at 9:06 pm
tugster
o–docker– thanks fer the info. was fdr the last president to have a yacht, i wonder. if so, will the urge return, do you suppose? i’d say if being afloat on the ship of state make the state of the union better, it’s $$ well-spent, then. happy new year.
January 4, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Robert
The last Presidential yacht was the Honey Fitz, so renamed from something else by JFK. Jimmy Carter sold it out of gov’t service in a sadly misguided economy move. It was converted to a T-boat, and ran around the sixth boro in the late 80s and early 90s. Last seen in Ft. Lauderdale, last year.
January 5, 2010 at 5:22 am
Soundbounder
Carter sold the Sequoia, not the Honey Fitz.
January 5, 2010 at 7:25 am
Robert
Ooops — Soundbounder is correct… senility setting in…