Southwest Ledge

Alternate Name(s):
New Haven Breakwater
Type:
Year Established:
1877
Existing:
Yes
Source:
LL-1908
ship passing the light station
Download:
File Type:
jpeg (image/jpeg)
Photo Date:
1990
Photo Credit:
Robert Bachand Collection
Photo Courtesy of:
US Lighthouse Society
Collection / Donor:

LOCATION

Location:
Reef at main entrance to New Haven Harbor
Latitude:
41° 14.1'
Longitude:
72° 54.7'
City / Town:
New Haven
U.S. State:
Connecticut
Location County:
New Haven
Country:
United States

OWNER & ACCESS

Open to Public:
No
Light List Data:
  1. Southwest Ledge
Light list data courtesy Gary Riemenschneider

STRUCTURE

Year Tower Established:
1877
Tower Construction Material:
Cast Iron
Tower Foundation:
Cast Iron/Concrete Caisson
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
54 feet above water
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
32 feet
Tower Shape:
Octagonal
Tower Daymark:
White
Fog Signal Building?:
No
Keeper's Quarters?:
Yes
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1877
Keeper's Quarters Style:
Second Empire
Keeper's Quarters Construction:
Cast Iron (Integral)
Other Structures:
NONE

OPTICS

Active Aid to Navigation?:
Yes
Current Optic:
190 MM
Original Optic Type:
Fourth Order, Fresnel
Year Original Lens Installed:
1877
Private Aid:
No
USCG Access to Optics:
No

More Information

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Comments:
  • Original daymark was brown
  • Daymark changed in December 1891 to white
  • Originally a bell was used as a fog signal, but changed to a Daboll in 1888 which couldn't gather enough air to operate properly. The bell was returned until 1897 when an oil engine Daboll signal was installed.
  • 1907 - Assistant Keeper Nils Nelson has two mental breakdowns and attacks Keeper Jorgen Tonnesen. The first time a minor argument lead him to grab the fire ax and go after the Keeper who escaped to the storage room. Nelson rowed ashore and the incident was not reported. Tonnesen brought his brother-in-law to help. Nelson returned to duty but quickly had another incident. Grabbing a butcher knife, he pinned the Keeper to the wall when the brother-in-law stopped the attack. In January 1908 Tonnesen would take his own life while ashore.
  • January 14, 1926 - another Keeper was injured in an accident. Keeper Albert Wilkinson and 2nd Assistant Reuben Phillips we int he station boat, rowing next to the breakwater hunting ducks. Disembarking, Wilkinson slipped, his gun fell, discharged and hit him in his side. Despite being taken to the hospital, he died the following day.
  • November 1942, another incident would cost another keeper his life. John Ostman fell off a ladder, landing on the rocks below. He too would be taken to the hospital and pass away the following day.
  • May 1943, another keeper has an accident. Harold Burbine was doing maintenance on the fog signal engine. The gasoline ignited, engine exploded and Burbine was burned across his entire body. He survived, but would endure skin grafts and neurologic issues that prevented his return to the station.
  • 1953 - Automation
  • 1988 - Fresnel lens removed for modern optic
    • Entered by:
    t.wheeler
    Entered Date:
    Jul 20, 2017