- Boston Light
Infobox_Lighthouse
caption =
location = Offshore Boston,Massachusetts
coordinates = coord|42|19|40.39|N|70|53|24.26|W|region:US_type:landmark
yearlit = 1783 (current tower)
yearbuilt = 1716
automated = 1998
yeardeactivated = 1776-1783 and during World War II.
foundation = Granite Ledge
construction = Masonry, Rubble Stone with brick lining
shape = Conical
marking = White with five steel bands and black trim
height = 89 feet (102 feet above sea level)
lens = Tallow candles installed in 1716; later replaced with 12-sided second-orderFresnel lens .
intensity = 1,800,000 candlepower
range = convert|16|mi|km originally. Now 27 nm according to Lights list.
characteristic = Flashing white every 10 seconds. Emergency light of reduced intensity when main light is extinguished. Two emergency lights may be visible from 336° to 001° and from 156° to 181°. HORN: 1 blast ev 30s (3s bl).Boston Light, also known as Boston Harbor Light, is a
lighthouse located onLittle Brewster Island in outerBoston Harbor ,Massachusetts . The first lighthouse to be built on the site dates back to 1716, and was the first lighthouse to be built in what is now theUnited States . The current lighthouse dates from 1783, is the second oldest working lighthouse in the US (afterSandy Hook Lighthouse inNew Jersey ), and is the only lighthouse to still be actively staffed by theUnited States Coast Guard . The structure was designated aNational Historic Landmark in 1964, and is also listed on theNational Register of Historic Places .cite web | url = http://www.lighthouse.cc/boston/index.html | title = New England Lighthouses - A Historic Guide: Boston Lighthouse | publisher = www.lighthouse.cc | accessdate = June 18 | accessyear = 2006] cite web | url = http://www.cr.nps.gov/MARITIME/nhl/boston.htm | title = National Historic Landmark nomination for Boston Light | publisher = National Park Service | accessdate = June 18 | accessyear = 2006] cite web | url = http://www.lighthouse.cc/boston/history.html | title = Boston Light History (part 1)| publisher = www.lighthouse.cc | accessdate = August 5 | accessyear = 2006]The first keeper of Boston Light was
George Worthylake , who drowned, along with his wife and daughter, when returning to the island in 1718. During theAmerican Revolution , the original lighthouse was held by British forces and was attacked and burnt on two occasions by American forces. As the British forces withdrew in 1776, they blew up the tower and completely destroyed it. The lighthouse was eventually reconstructed in 1783, to the same convert|75|ft|m|sing=on height as the original tower. In 1859 it was raised to its present height of convert|89|ft|m and a new lantern room was added along with a 12-sided second orderFresnel lens .cite web | url = http://www.lighthouse.cc/boston/history.html | title = Boston Light History (part 1) | publisher = www.lighthouse.cc | accessdate = August 5 | accessyear = 2006]Boston light was automated in 1998, but is still staffed by a resident civilian keeper assisted by volunteer watchstanders from the Coast Guard Auxiliary see [http://www.teamcoastguard.org//2005/Dec/A051230/sallysnowman.htm] . However, these personnel are mostly used to act as interpretive tour guides for visitors. It has a signature of a flashing white light every 10 seconds, and is visible from a distance of convert|16|mi|km. Whilst still an important navigation mark, its importance has been decreased by the presence of a
lightship to the east, and the more powerful Graves Light to the northeast.cite web | url = http://www.lighthouse.cc/boston/index.html | title = New England Lighthouses - A Historic Guide: Boston Lighthouse | publisher = www.lighthouse.cc | accessdate = June 18 | accessyear = 2006] cite web | url = http://www.lighthouse.cc/boston/history2.html | title = Boston Light History (part 2) | publisher = www.lighthouse.cc | accessdate = August 5 | accessyear = 2006]
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