Battery Point Lighthouse by 0rest4wicked
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Description
Three cannons were salvaged from the wreck of the burned ship, America in 1855. These cannons, often fired during fourth of July celebrations, were mounted at the northern entrance to the harbor. Since then the cannons have disappeared but the name battery point remained.
Also in 1855, Congress appropriated $15,000 for the construction of a lighthouse on this tiny islet connected to battery point by an isthmus at low tide. This was in addition to the 1852 contract for the first eight west coast lighthouses. Yet the Battery point lighthouse was in fact lit ten days before the Humboldt harbor lighthouse, which was the last of the original eight to become operational.
On December 10, 1856 this "Cape Cod" style lighthouse was first lit with oil lamps. For 150 years, many keepers and their families tended this light. In 1936, the US Lighthouse service was in charge, until the US Coast Guard took over. In 1953 the lighthouse became automated by a 375mm lens replacing the fourth-order Fresnal lens. The upgrade of the Fifth Order Drumm Lens with 20,000 candle power operated by electricity in the tower until it was decommissioned in 1965. The light was reactivated as a private aid to navigation in 1982. Eventually the lighthouse became home for a museum and curators.
This exposed little rocky islet would get pummeled by storms. Waves would wash over it's top striking the lighthouse. One rouge wave broke three panes of glass in the lantern room and deposited water in the tower itself. Even more amazing is it did not receive any damage during the worst Tsunami damage suffered along the west coast of the contiguous US. On March 27, 1964 the strongest earthquake ever recorded in the northern hemisphere with a magnitude 9.2 hit Alaska near Prince William Sound. The waves raced southward at nearly 600 mph and reached Crescent City around midnight.
The curators of the lighthouse at the time was Clarence(Roxey) and Peggy Coons. The nearly full moon illuminated the harbor that night when Peggy Coons awoke before midnight to use the lavatory. She was wary of the extremely high tide in the harbor and woke her husband. They quickly dressed and hurried outside to see the first waves pummel Crescent City. The following is Peggy's account of the event.
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"Front and back"
"Front and back"
Comments (38)
0rest4wicked
The water withdrew as if someone had pulled the plug. It receded a distance of three-quarters of a mile from the shore. We were looking down, as though from a high mountain, into a black abyss. It was a mystical labyrinth of caves, canyons, basins, and pits, undreamed of in the wildest of fantasies. The basin was sucked dry...In the distance, a black wall of water was rapidly building up, evidenced by a flash of white as the edge of the boiling and seething seawater reflected the moonlight. Then the mammoth wall of water came barreling towards us. It was a terrifying mass, stretching up from the ocean floor and looking much higher than the island. Roxey shouted, "Let's head for the tower!" - but it was too late. "Look out!" he yelled and we both ducked as the water struck, split and swirled over both sides of the island. It struck with such force and speed that we felt we were being carried along with the ocean. It took several minutes before we realized that the island hadn't moved. When the tsunami assaulted the shore, it was like a violent explosion. A thunderous roar mingled with all the confusion. Everywhere we looked buildings, cars, lumber, and boats shifted around like crazy. The whole beachfront moved, changing before our very eyes. By this time, the fire had spread to the Texaco bulk tanks. They started exploding one after another, lighting up the sky. It was spectacular! It still seems hard to believe that with all the salvage that floated by us out to sea, the only bit to reach the island was one spool of lavender thread. Eleven people were killed in Crescent City, over twenty boats lost, and over ninety homes in town damaged. Damage was in excess of seven million, in 1964! The lighthouse survived the ordeal intact, but in the following year the beacon was switched off, and a flashing red light at the end of the breakwater operated as the harbors navigational aid. It remained that way until December 10, 1982 when the light in the tower was lit once again, and Battery Point Lighthouse was listed as a private aid to navigation. Head Keepers: Theophilus Magruder (1857 – 1859), Dugald Stewart Sartwell (1859 – 1860), Charles Edwards (1860 – 1862), George Washington Emery (1862 – 1866), John Henessy (1866 – 1875), John H. Jeffrey (1875 – 1914), Charles Bruehl (1914 - 1916) John E. Lind (1916 - 1930), John Otto Becker (1930 - 1933), Cheney V. Dunbar (1933 - 1936), Joseph Marhoffer (1936 - 1939), James Elmer Simonson (1939 - 1942), Fred Carl Saunders (1942 - 1945), John Hollenbeck (1945 - 1946), Wayne Redrick Piland (1946 – 1953). Reading into the lives of these coastal guardians of old has it's rewards, and for myself, a new found respect for the sacrifices they made. On a final note; Battery Point Lighthouse and Island are only accessible at low tides. Care must be taken as it is a two hundred foot span from the mainland and wave action can cover the crossing area at any time. The crossing is off the right side of the islet here under water.
Faemike55
Very cool image and great story
pjaj
Great capture.
thecytron
Great shot!
eekdog
love lighthoses my friend, and always enjoy your shots.
bebopdlx
Excellent info and shot.
MrsRatbag
Frightening and fascinating story to accompany this beautiful peaceful capture!
adrie
What a wonderful view my friend, superb photoshot...thanks also for the information.
Flint_Hawk
That's an amazing bit of history & great picture!
bobrgallegos
Great capture of this awesome seascape Dana!! Loved the info and story!!
durleybeachbum
SO interesting, Dana!!
nitegrafix
Awesome visuals.....just....amazing... !!!
jayfar
A beautiful image and a brilliant story except for the loss of life.
barryjeffer
Hard to think of someplace so beautiful might be so deadly...
anitalee
Very nice shot
alanwilliams
superbly written Dana, an enthralling and terrifying experience, and i like the picture as well
UVDan
Great photo and history lesson.
Fidelity2
It is very nice. 5+!
MrsLubner
exceptional.
flavia49
marvelous seascape
Sea_Dog
Great shot - you caught a perfect day. Thanks for the information, too - very interesting history.
bluart
nice sea scape good shot
alida
nice work and great info
drifterlee
Really gorgeous shot!
sandra46
FANTASTIC SHOT AND INFO!
jeroni
wonderful photo and colours
blinkings
I was reading that Theophilus Magruder (1857 – 1859) was paid $1000 per year, but quit after receiving a 40% pay cut! Wonderful post.
SidheRoseGraphics
Thank you so much for this information on the lighthouse and it's keepers, Dana. Very interesting! Wonderful capture, too!
MagikUnicorn
Not the place to be...if tsunami alert ;-) GORGEOUS CAPTURE!
jocko500
wonderful