Waugoshance Light

Infobox_Lighthouse

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caption = Waugoshance in 2001
location = Lake Michigan
coordinates =coord|45|48.606|N|85|7.944|W
yearbuilt = 1850
yearlit = 1851
automated =
yeardeactivated = 1912
foundation = Timber crib filled with stone/concrete
construction = Brick encased with steel plate
shape = Conical (encased in iron in 1883)
marking = Natural
height = Tower - convert|63|ft|m
elevation = Focal plane - convert|74|ft|m
lens = Fourth order Fresnel lens
currentlens = Removed
intensity =
range =
characteristic = Original: Bell, Steam Whistle
admiralty =
NGA =
ARLHS =

The lighthouse at Waugoshance protects boats from a shoal area at the northern end of Lake Michigan. The lighthouse is located in Emmet County and in U.S. Coast Guard District No. 9. [ [http://www.michiganlights.com/waugoshancelh.htm Michigan Lighthouse conservancy, Waugoshance Light.] ]

Reason for lighthouse

Boats from Chicago heading North (and ultimately) East need to negotiate the narrow tip of northern Lake Michigan, and dangers are numerous. The area around Waugoshance is not only shallow, it's a large (in area) projection from the bottom of the lake. Boats large enough to safely travel in times of storm cannot approach the light closer than a few hundred yards.Fact|date=June 2008

Adding to the complication of navigation in this area is the White Shoal, located just north of Waugoshance. This area is currently protected by White Shoal Light—built in 1912, nearby, powerful and larger—and Grays Reef Light which rendered this lighthouse obsolete. [ [http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/michigan/waugoshance/waugoshance.htm Terry Pepper, Seeing The Light, Waugoshance Light.] ] [National Park Service [http://www.nps.gov/history/maritime/light/waugo.htm Maritime History, Inventory of Historic Light Stations, Waugoshance Shoal Light.] ]

During the last half of the nineteenth century, this light marked the turning point for ships traveling through the Straits of Mackinac and along Lake Michigan's eastern shore between the mainland and the Beavers. With a water less than 12 feet deep, it was "one of the most dangerous parts of the Straits." Thereafter, a "Gray's Reef passage" became more typical because modern freighters require considerably more depth, so Waugoshance is bypassed about 2 miles to the west. [ [http://www.lighthousedepot.com/lite_digest.asp?action=get_article&sk=0368&bhcd2=1217773586 Edwards, Jack, "A Nautical Gravestone", "Great Lakes Cruiser Magazine" (October, 1994) Lighthouse Digest.] ]

History

In 1832 the first lightvessel on the Great Lakes was placed here. [ [http://clarke.cmich.edu/lighthouses/lhtime1.htm Wagner, John L., Chronology of Michigan lightship and lighthouses "Beacons Shining in the Night", Clarke Historical Library, Central, Michigan University.] ] That wooden lightship was the "Lois McLain". In 1851 she was replaced by the Waugoshance Light, which stands in the area of the Wilderness State Park, and which remains one of the most hazardous areas near the Straits of Mackinac, Michigan. [ [http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/michigan/waugoshance/waugoshance.htm Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light, Waugoshance Shoal Light.] ] The last lightvessel on the Great Lakes was the Lightship Huron.

The lighthouse at Waugoshance was arguably the first light built in the Great Lakes that was totally surrounded by water. Both its construction and its continued maintenance were rendered extremely hazardous by the severe weather conditions of the area. Waugoshance is at the northern end of the long fetch of "south-wester" waves on Lake Michigan; the wave action is amplified as they build upon the shoal. [ [http://www.terrypepper.com/Lights/michigan/waugoshance/waugoshance.htm Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light] ]

The imposing crib structure was a first on the Great Lakes. The pier was reconstructed in 1870—a massive undertaking that was hampered by the ironic fact that the viable 'building season' is far shorter than even the normal operating season for the light—and used a "bird cage" lantern, which makes it one of only three built on the Great Lakes. The lantern originally held the first fourth order Fresnel lens on the Great Lakes. [ [http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/michigan/waugoshance/waugoshance.htm Terry Pepper, Seeing The Light, Waugoshance Light.] ]

Although the light is now gray in color, it was originally painted in four broad horizontal Red and white stripes as a a Daymark. Its walls were encased in steel, and are 5 1/2 feet thick at the bottom. [ [http://www.waugoshance.org/ourlighthouse.html Waugoshance Lighthouse Preservation Society, "Our Lighthouse".] ] The Waugoshance Light operated from 1851 until its deactivation in 1912, when it remained the property of the U.S. federal government.

Of particular note were the efforts of Lighthouse keepers who rang bells for many days, trying to ward mariners and their vessels off the shoal as they groped through the smoke from the many fires -- 1871 Great Chicago Fire, Peshtigo Fire, Northern Michigan including large tracts around Manistee, Michigan, Western Michigan around Holland and the fire in the Thumb near Port Huron [ [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mimanist/ManHist14.html Manistee Michigan history page.] ] -- that took place beginning October 8, 1871, casting an impenetrable pall across Lake Michigan for the better part of a week. However, many vessels were lost. [ [http://www.lighthousedepot.com/lite_digest.asp?action=get_article&sk=0368&bhcd2=1217773586 Edwards, Jack, "A Nautical Gravestone", "Great Lakes Cruiser Magazine" (October, 1994) Lighthouse Digest.] ]

During World War II, the abandoned light was used by the U.S. Navy for bombing practice. [ [http://www.waugoshance.org/ Waugoshance Lighthouse Preservation Society.] ] The Lighthouse keeper's house and all of the wood framing in the lighthouse burnt. The metal shell has fallen away. [ [http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/michigan/waugoshance/waugoshance.htm Terry Pepper, Seeing The Light, Waugoshance Light.] ] Today, the lighthouse "is considered one of the most endangered lighthouses in the world." [ [http://www.waugoshance.org/ Waugoshance Lighthouse Preservation Society.] ]

Current status

The light is listed on the National Register, Reference #83000841, Name of Listing: WAUGOSHANCE LIGHT STATION (U.S. COAST GUARD/GREAT LAKES TR) It is not on the state list inventory. [National Park Service [http://www.nps.gov/history/maritime/light/waugo.htm Maritime History, Inventory of Historic Light Stations, Waugoshance Shoal Light.] ]

It is said to be both a "nautical gravestone" (because of the many wrecks in the vicinity) and on the "most endangered list" of lighthouses. [ [http://www.lighthousedepot.com/lite_digest.asp?action=get_article&sk=0368&bhcd2=1217773586 Edwards, Jack, A Nautical Gravestone, Great Lakes Cruiser Magazine (October, 1994) Lighthouse Digest.] ] It is on the Lighthouse Digest "Doomsday List." [ [http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/lighthouse/doomsday.html Lighthouse Digest, Waugoshance Light, University of North Carolina.] ]

A private boat is recommended to see this light close up. Short of that, Shepler's Ferry Service out of Mackinaw City offers periodic lighthouse cruises in the summer season. Its "westbound Lighthouse Tour"—three hours more or less—includes passes by various lights, including Waugoshance Light, White Shoal Light, Wilderness State Park, Gray's Reef Light (originally built in 1891), and St. Helena Island Light. Schedules and rates are available from Shepler's. [ [http://www.sheplersferry.com/lighthouses/lighthouses.html Shepler's Ferry Service.] ]

The Waugoshance Lighthouse Preservation Society was formed in 2000. It has undertaken preservation and restoration. [ [http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/michigan/waugoshance/waugoshance.htm Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light, Waugoshance Shoal Light.] ] The Society's "first priority is raising funds to stabilize the building." [ [http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/lighthouse/miwl.htm Waugoshance Shoal Light, University of North Carolina.] ] It is soliciting funds to rebuild the light, and is seeking an extended lease from the U.S. Coast Guard, so that restoration can continue. [ [http://www.waugoshance.org/ Waugoshance Lighthouse Preservation Society.] ]

References

Further reading

* "A Tour of the Lights of the Straits." Michigan History 70 (Sep/Oct 1986), pp. 17-29.
* [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.
* 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).
* 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/952 Aerial photos, Waugoshance Light, marinas.com.]
* [http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080520/SPECIAL01/80519001 Detroit News, Interactive map on Michigan lighthouses.]
* [http://www.lighthousedepot.com/lite_digest.asp?action=get_article&sk=0368&bhcd2=1217773586 Edwards, Jack, "A Nautical Gravestone", "Great Lakes Cruiser Magazine" (October, 1994) Lighthouse Digest.]
* [http://www.lighthousesrus.org/Maps/mapIt.htm?file=GL/MichiganNorth.xml Interactive map of Lights in Northern Lake Michigan, mapped by Google.]
* [http://www.lighthousecentral.com/lighthouse_gallery.php4?lighthouse=Waugoshance%20Shoal%20Light Lighthouse Central, Photographs, History, Directions and Way points for Waugoshance Light, "The Ultimate Guide to West Michigan Lighthouses" by Jerry Roach (Publisher: Bugs Publishing LLC - 2005).] ISBN 0-9747977-0-7.
* [http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/lighthouse/doomsday.html Lighthouse Digest, Doomsday List, Waugoshance Light, University of North Carolina.]
* [http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/lighthouse/miwl.htm Lighthouse Digest, Western Lower Peninsula, Waugoshance Light, University of North Carolina.]
* [http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=211 Lighthouse friends, Waugoshance Light.]
* [http://www.lighthousefriends.com/macstraits.html Lighthouses in the Mackinac Straits, Lighthouse Friends.]
* [http://www.michiganlights.com/waugoshancelh.htm Michigan Lighthouse conservancy, Waugoshance Light.]
* [http://www.michigan.gov/documents/hal_mhc_shpo_lightmap_50933_7.pdf Map of Michigan Lighthouses] in PDF Format.
* [http://www.michiganlighthouse.org/Lighthouses/lighthouse_detail.php114.htm Michigan Lighthouse Project, Waugoshance Light.]
*National Park Service [http://www.nps.gov/history/maritime/light/waugo.htm Maritime History, Inventory of Historic Light Stations, Waugoshance Shoal Light.]
* [http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/michigan/waugoshance/waugoshance.htm Terry Pepper, Seeing The Light, Waugoshance Light.]
*U.S. Coast Guard's [http://www.uscg.mil/history/weblighthouses/LHMI.asp complete list of Michigan lights, including information and photographs of Waugoshance Shoal Light.]
* [http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pubs/LightLists/V7COMPLETE.PDF Volume 7, US Coast Guard Lightlist (PDF).]
* [http://www.waugoshance.org/ Waugoshance Lighthouse Preservation Society.]
* [http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/lighthouse/miwl.htm Waugoshance Shoal Light, Lighthouse Digest, University of North Carolina.]
* [http://lighthouse.boatnerd.com/gallery/Michigan/waugoshance.htm Wobser, David, Waugoshance Light, boatnerd.com.]