Second lighthouseĪt the behest of mariners and officers of the U.S. In 1862 the Board reported "Cape Hatteras, lens and lantern destroyed, light reexhibited. In 1860 the Lighthouse Board reported that Cape Hatteras Lighthouse required protection, due to the outbreak of the Civil War. In 1854 a first-order Fresnel lens with flashing white light was substituted for the old reflecting apparatus, and the tower was raised to 150 feet (46 m). In 1848 the 18 lamps were changed to 15 lamps with 21-inch (530 mm) reflectors and the light had become visible in clear weather at a distance of 20 miles (32 km). The improvement in the light referred to had begun in 1845 when the reflectors were changed from 14 to 15-inch (380 mm). Twenty-four steamship's lights, of great brilliancy, pass this point in one month, nearly at the rate of one every night (they all pass at night) and it can be seen how easily a vessel may be deceived by taking a steamer's light for a light onshore." It is all-important that Hatteras should be provided with a revolving light of great intensity, and that the light is raised 15 feet (4.6 m) higher than at present. It has improved much latterly but is still a wretched light.
The first nine trips I made I never saw Hatteras light at all, though frequently passing in sight of the breakers, and when I did see it, I could not tell it from a steamer's light, excepting that the steamer's lights are much brighter. The only guide they have is the light, to tell them when up with the shoals but I have always had so little confidence in it, that I have been guided by the lead, without the use of which no vessel should pass Hatteras. Cape Hatteras is the point made by all vessels going to the south, and also coming from that direction the current of the Gulf Stream runs so close to the outer point of the shoals that vessels double as close round the breakers as possible, to avoid its influence. "Hatteras light, the most important on our coast is, without doubt, the worst light in the world.
It was visible in clear weather for a distance of 18 miles (29 km). The original light consisted of 18 lamps with 14-inch (360 mm) reflectors, and was 112 feet (34 m) above sea level. The original tower was built of dark sandstone and retained its natural color. The Cape Hatteras light marked very dangerous shoals that extend from the cape for a distance of 10 nautical miles (19 km). On July 10, 1794, after Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton requested that they make a lighthouse on this location after his ship almost crashed and sunk on its to way to The New World giving it the nickname “Hamilton’s light” Congress appropriated $44,000 "for erecting a lighthouse on the headland of Cape Hatteras and a lighted beacon on Shell Castle Island, in the harbor of Ocracoke in the State of North Carolina." The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was constructed in 1802. The visitor center offers information about the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, ranger programs and a bookstore. Exhibits include the history, maritime heritage and natural history of the Outer Banks and the lighthouse.
Hatteras Island Visitor Center and Museum of the SeaĪdjacent to the Cape Hatteras Light is the Hatteras Island Visitor Center and Museum of the Sea, operated by the National Park Service, which is located in the historic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Double Keepers' Quarters.
Hatteras Island Visitor Center and Museum of the Sea.Since its base is almost at sea level, it is only the 15th highest light in the United States, the first 14 being built on higher ground. Its 210-foot height makes it the tallest brick lighthouse structure in the United States and 2nd in the world. The large number of ships that ran aground because of these shifting sandbars gave this area the nickname "Graveyard of the Atlantic." It also led Congress to authorize the construction of the Cape Hatteras Light. Nearby, the warm Gulf Stream ocean current collides with the colder Labrador Current, creating ideal conditions for powerful ocean storms and sea swells. Atlantic currents in this area made for excellent travel for ships, except in the area of Diamond Shoals, just offshore at Cape Hatteras. The Outer Banks are a group of barrier islands on the North Carolina coast that separate the Atlantic Ocean from the coastal sounds and inlets. Granite, timber and rubble (first location)īlack and white spiral bands with red brick base with granite corners.Ĭape Hatteras Light is a lighthouse located on Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks in the town of Buxton, North Carolina and is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Location in the United States Show map of the United States
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