Whitefish Point Light

Whitefish Point Light

Infobox Lighthouse


caption = Vintage image of Whitefish Point Light station
location = Whitefish Bay
coordinates = coord|46|46|14|N|84|57|24|W|region:US_type:landmark|display=inline,title
yearlit = 1861
automated = 1971
yeardeactivated = N/A
foundation = Pier
construction = Steel
shape = Lattice Tower
height = Tower - convert|76|ft|m [National Park Service [http://www.nps.gov/history/maritime/light/whitefis.htm Maritime Heritage, Inventory of Historic Lights, Whitefish Point Light.] [http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pubs/LightLists/V7COMPLETE.PDF Volume 7, US Coast Guard Lightlist (PDF).] ]
elevation = Focal plane - convert|80|ft|m
lens = 3rd order Fresnel Lens
currentlens = DCB-224 Series Aerobeacon
intensity =
range = convert|26|mi|km
characteristic = (20 second cycle) .2" flash; 4.8" eclipse; .2" flash; 14.8" eclipse
admiralty =
NGA =
ARLHS =

The Whitefish Point Light is a lighthouse in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

First lit in 1849, it was one of the first lighthouses on the shores of Lake Superior and is also the oldest active light on the lake. The original structure was outfitted with Lewis lamps, which were thereafter upgraded to a Fourth Order Fresnel lens.

The current structure, while modern looking, is a Civil War relic. Built in 1861, the iron skeletal steel framework was designed to relieve stress caused by high winds. A similar design is used at Manitou Island light in Lake Superior. It was equipped with a Third Order Fresnel lens. [ [http://www.terrypepper.com/Lights/superior/whitefish/whitefish.htm Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light - Whitefish Point Lighthouse.] ]

In 1968, the light was replaced with a DCB-224 aero beacon [ [http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/closeups/illumination/aerobeacon/dcb224.htm Aero beacon, Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light.] ] manufactured by the Carlisle & Finch Company. [ [http://www.carlislefinch.com/marine/aidsnav.htm Carlisle & Finch Company.] ] According to Volume 7 of the U.S. Coast Guard light list, it is visible for a distance of 26 nautical miles in clear weather conditions, and has two unevenly spaced eclipses, and two flashes within every 20 second period. [ [http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pubs/LightLists/V7COMPLETE.PDF Volume 7, US Coast Guard Lightlist (PDF).] ]

The station was automated in 1971.

The lighthouse is home to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, which has "SS Edmund Fitzgerald" artifacts, including the ship's bell which was recovered from the wreck in 1995. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum is open for during the tourist season from 10 am to 6 pm, every day through October 31. Although it receives some matching grants from public funds, it is largely funded by donations. [ [http://www.shipwreckmuseum.com/tour.phtml Virtual tour of Whitefish Point Light.] ]

An official Michigan Historical Marker was erected in 1974. It is Registered Site L0272. The marker notes:

*This light, the oldest on Lake Superior, began operating in 1849, though the present tower was constructed later. Early a stopping place for Indians, Voyageurs [also known as Coureur des bois] , and Jesuit missionaries, the point marks the course change for ore boats and other ships navigating this treacherous coastline to and from St. Mary's Canal. Since 1971 the light, fog signal, and radio beacon have been automated and controlled from Sault Ste. Marie. [ [http://www.michmarkers.com/Frameset.htm Michigan Historical Markers.] ]

In passing, it must be noted that Whitefish Point is an important route for migrating birds, and an excellent stop for birders at the Whitefish Point bird observatory. Large, varied and unusual populations have been observed and counted. Observation facilities are on site. [ [http://www.exploringthenorth.com/birds/birds.html Exploring the North, Birds at Whitefish Point.] ]

Notes

ee also

* Lighthouses in the United States
* Great Lakes Storm of 1913 and Shipwrecks of the 1913 Great Lakes storm

Further reading

* [http://www.michiganlighthouse.org/bibliography.html Bibliography on Michigan lighthouses.]
* Crompton, Samuel Willard & Michael J. Rhein, "The Ultimate Book of Lighthouses" (2002) ISBN 1592231020; ISBN 978-1592231027.
* Hyde, Charles K., and Ann and John Mahan. "The Northern Lights: Lighthouses of the Upper Great Lakes." Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1995. ISBN 0814325548; ISBN 9780814325544.
* Jones, Ray & Bruce Roberts, "American Lighthouses" (Globe Pequot, September 1, 1998, 1st Ed.) ISBN 0762703245; ISBN 978-0762703241.
* Jones, Ray,"The Lighthouse Encyclopedia, The Definitive Reference" (Globe Pequot, January 1, 2004, 1st ed.) ISBN 0762727357; ISBN 978-0762727353.
*Lynn, Bruce. "A Light is on in the Graveyard [Whitefish Point] ." Lighthouse Digest (Aug 1997), pp. 1-3.
* Noble, Dennis, "Lighthouses & Keepers: U. S. Lighthouse Service and Its Legacy" (Annapolis: U. S. Naval Institute Press, 1997). ISBN 1557506388; ISBN 9781557506382.
* Oleszewski, Wes, "Great Lakes Lighthouses, American and Canadian: A Comprehensive Directory/Guide to Great Lakes Lighthouses", (Gwinn, Michigan: Avery Color Studios, Inc., 1998) ISBN 0-932212-98-0.
* Penrod, John, "Lighthouses of Michigan", (Berrien Center, Michigan: Penrod/Hiawatha, 1998) ISBN 9780942618785; ISBN 9781893624238.
*
* Putnam, George R., "Lighthouses and Lightships of the United States", (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1933).
* Splake, T. Kilgore. "Superior Land Lights". Battle Creek, MI: Angst Productions, 1984.
* United States Coast Guard, "Aids to Navigation", (Washington, DC: U. S. Government Printing Office, 1945).
* [http://www.uscg.mil/History/weblighthouses/h_lhbib.asp United States Coast Guard, "Aids to Navigation Historical Bibliography".]
*
* Wagner, John L., "Michigan Lighthouses: An Aerial Photographic Perspective", (East Lansing, Michigan: John L. Wagner, 1998) ISBN 1880311011; ISBN 9781880311011.
* Wargin, Ed, "Legends of Light: A Michigan Lighthouse Portfolio" (Ann Arbor Media Group, 2006). ISBN 9781587262517.
* Wright, Larry and Wright, Patricia, "Great Lakes Lighthouses Encyclopedia" Hardback (Erin: Boston Mills Press, 2006) ISBN 1550463993.

External links

* [http://marinas.com/view/lighthouse/875 Aerial photos, Whitefish Point Light, marinas.com.]
* [http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080520/SPECIAL01/80519001 Detroit News, Interactive map on Michigan lighthouses.]
* [http://www.exploringthenorth.com/whitefish/whitefish.html Exploring The North: Whitefish Point Lighthouse and Museum]
* [http://www.lighthousesrus.org/Maps/GL/SuperiorEast.htm Interactive map of lighthouses in eastern Lake Superior.]
* [http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/lighthouse/miup.htm Lighthouse Digest, Michigan Upper Peninsula lights (University of North Carolina).]
* National Park Service [http://www.nps.gov/history/maritime/light/whitefis.htm Maritime Heritage, Inventory of Historic Lights, Whitefish Point Light.]
* [http://www.shipwreckmuseum.com/ Shipwreck Museum,] at Whitefish Point Light.
* [http://www.terrypepper.com/Lights/superior/whitefish/whitefish.htm Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light - Whitefish Point Lighthouse.]
* [http://www.shipwreckmuseum.com/tour.phtml Virtual tour of Whitefish Point Light.]
* U.S. Coast Guard [http://www.uscg.mil/history/weblighthouses/LHMI.asp 's complete list of Michigan lights with photographs and descriptions, including including Whitefish Point Light.]
* [http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pubs/LightLists/V7COMPLETE.PDF Volume 7, US Coast Guard Lightlist (PDF).]
* [http://lighthouse.boatnerd.com/gallery/Superior/WhitefishPt.htm Wobser, David, "Whitefish Point Light" Boatnerd.com.]


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