Great Captain Island

Type:
Year Established:
1829
Existing:
Yes
Source:
LL-1908
Great Captain
Download:
IMG_1506adj.jpeg (620.33 KB)
File Type:
jpeg (image/jpeg)
Photo Date:
2016.03.26
Photo Credit:
Jeremy D'Entremont
Collection / Donor:

LOCATION

Location:
Western Long Island Sound
Latitude:
40° 59'
Longitude:
73° 37.4'
City / Town:
Greenwich
U.S. State:
Connecticut
Location County:
Fairfield
Country:
United States

OWNER & ACCESS

Open to Public:
Yes
Light List Data:
  1. Great Captain Island
Light list data courtesy Gary Riemenschneider

STRUCTURE

Year Discontinued:
1970
Year Tower Established:
1868
Tower Construction Material:
Granite/Wood
Tower Foundation:
Stone
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
73 feet above water
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
46 feet
Tower Shape:
Octagonal
Fog Signal Building?:
No
Keeper's Quarters?:
Yes
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1868
Keeper's Quarters Style:
Late Victorian
Keeper's Quarters Construction:
Granite Rocks
Other Structures:
OIL HOUSE, STORAGE BUILDING

OPTICS

Active Aid to Navigation?:
No
Original Optic Type:
Fourth Order, Fresnel
Year Original Lens Installed:
1858
Private Aid:
No
USCG Access to Optics:
No

More Information

Documents Photographs Postcards Architectural Plans Newspaper Clippings Objects People
Comments:
  • First lighthouse constructed in 1830 by Charles H. Smith. The mortar had issues from the start and caused the tower to be replaced.
  • Original light source was 10 lamps with parabolic reflectors
  • 1858 a 4th order Fresnel lens with a mineral oil-fired lamp built by L. Sauter & Co. is installed
  • 1868 -Second lighthouse was built in a similar design to Norwalk, Morgan Point, Old Field Point, Plum Island, and Block Island North.
  • The focal plane was 73 feet and could be seen for 14 nautical miles.
  • A fog house was constructed in 1890, fitted with Tyfon fog whistles.
  • 1905, the Oil House was built to replace coal as the fuel source.
  • Automated on January 30, 1970
    • Entered by:
    t.wheeler
    Entered Date:
    Jul 20, 2017