Home | Cockspur Island Lighthouse

Time 2020-11-08 19:03:22

Web Name: Home | Cockspur Island Lighthouse

WebSite: http://cockspurislandlighthouse.com

ID:109267

Keywords:

Cockspur,Home,Lighthouse,

Description:

The Historic Cockspur Island LighthouseLOCATED IN THE SOUTH CHANNEL OF THE SAVANNAH RIVER BY LAZARETTO CREEK How To HelpBecome a hands-on volunteer—the Friends of Cockspur Lighthouse can use your help! CONTACT US Send A DonationThe Friends of Cockspur Island relies primarily on the generous support of our donors. DONATE NOW History of The Cockspur Island LighthouseSituated on an islet off the southeastern tip of Cockspur Island marking the South Channel of the Savannah River, the Cockspur Lighthouse is stands twelve miles east of the port of Savannah. The islet, often covered by high tide, is comprised of oyster shells, and marsh grass. Documented references suggest the first brick tower, used as a daymark, was built on Cockspur Island between March 1837 and November 1839. In 1848, John Norris, a New York architect, was contracted to supervise construction of an illuminated station. The noted architect designed many of Savannah’s grand structures including the U.S. Custom House in downtown Savannah, the Mercer-Wilder House, and the Green-Meldrim House, where General Sherman stayed during the Civil War.Norris’s duties were to “repair, alter, and put up lanterns and lights on Cockspur Island…and to erect a suitable keeper’s house.” This first tower had a focal plane 25 feet above sea level. The beacon housed a fixed white light emanating from five lamps with 14-inch reflectors visible for nine miles.Tragedy struck again in 1854 when the structure was destroyed by a hurricane. The tower was rebuilt and enlarged on the same foundation the next year. At the start of the American Civil War, the light was temporarily extinguished. On April 10, 1862, Union forces in eleven batteries stretching along the beach at Tybee Island, started a long-range bombardment of Fort Pulaski. Thirty-six guns participated in a thirty-hour siege of the fort with the Cockspur Lighthouse in direct line of fire.Following the surrender of Fort Pulaski on April 11, 1862, the little beacon miraculously only suffered minor damage. Theories abound as to why the tower escaped destruction. One theory suggests to effectively hit the Fort walls approximately 1,500 yards distant, Union artillerists had to fire shots at a high angle, thus passing over the tower. This strategy, coupled with the short duration of battle could explain why the tower was spared. Soon after war’s end, April 25, 1866, the beacon was relit and painted white for use as a daymark. Throughout its life, hurricanes plagued the Cockspur Light. August 27, 1881, a massive storm struck Cockspur Island causing water to rise 23′ above sea level. The storm surge filled the lighthouse interior and destroyed the Keeper’s residence. Jeremiah Keane, the Assistant Keeper Charles Sisson, and two Fort Pulaski caretakers took refuge inside the Northwest stair tower of the brick fort when the great hurricane of 1893 struck. A two-story cottage originally built atop the Fort Pulaski for an Ordnance Sergeant would be used by the light keeper in 1906.Man, not nature, extinguished forever the little light. No longer would this light guide vessels up the shallow South Channel of the Savannah River. To accommodate large freighters, the increasingly busy Savannah port routed vessels to the deep, more navigable North Channel. Effective June 1, 1909, the beacon light was snuffed.As the threat to the beacon by salvage crews and other private interests grew, the National Park Service looked into the acquisition of the light. On August 14, 1958, by presidential proclamation, the Cockspur Lighthouse was transferred from the United States Coast Guard to the National Park Service.Today, the National Park Service is dedicated to the preservation of the historic Cockspur Island Lighthouse. The lighthouse is currently not open for tours and the goal is to re-open it in the future. However, an overlook trail offers visitors the best chance to get a closer look at the lighthouse today.From NPS website: http://www.nps.gov/fopu/learn/historyculture/cockspur-light.htm READ MORE About the Friends of Cockspur Island LighthouseThe Friends of Cockspur Lighthouse goes back for over a decade and was established to act in unison with the National Park Service (NPS). First order of business was to foster a strong bond with the NPS so the two could work in conjunction with one another. In the early days there was three names that stand out Mr. C. Harvey Ferrelle, John C. Wylly, Jr. and noted lighthouse preservationist Mr. Cullen Chambers. Mr. Chambers worked on other legendary lighthouses throughout the southeast, including the Bahamas and the larger Tybee Lighthouse.The second step after forming this new relationship with the NPS was to establish themselves as a Not For Profit 501 3(c) group. With this major step behind them they now set about creating a list of priorities and goals to stabilize as well as provide for continued preservation. As a result of the concerted efforts by many people with the “Friends” and the NPS a Grand Re-Lighting ceremony was scheduled in 2007 and was officiated by the retired Rear Admiral David W. Kunkel. This event marked the first time the light had been on in nearly a century.Prior to the “The Friends” forming, the NPS had been busy evaluating and addressing issues such as the wood pilings being infested with shipworms. In 1909, the dome had fallen into a sad state of being and the light was removed in order to resurrect its former glory. A study conducted by the NPS concluded that the mortar was in a failing state and needed to be addressed. However, a main concern was the erosion that was occurring on the oyster bed on which the lighthouse resides. The Cockspur Lighthouse was attached to Cockspur Island, but major storms as well larger ships wakes have cut off this little mound from the mainland. It was found that hundreds of tons of granite ballast stone were needed to protect the lighthouse from the heavy tides, which had steadily caused erosion and damage to this precious piece of local history as well national treasure.One of the first major undertakings for the Friends of Cockspur Lighthouse was to petition U.S. Representative “Jack” Kingston of Georgia in order to appeal on their behalf to the Government for $1.4 Million, which deemed to rectify the problem. In 2012, the efforts of Mr. Kingston on behalf of the interests of Cockspur Lighthouse saw fruition and with the aid of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers the Island was saved.As you can see, preservation does not come cheaply, so currently the all-volunteer, Friends of Cockspur Lighthouse is in a serious fundraising mode. The lighthouse needs to have all the mortar that bonds the bricks together re-pointed as well as a new painting. This alone comes to the tune of about $200,000. The entry door as well as windows have been removed and are being replicated. Currently the lighthouse and island is closed to the public. We ask for those of you that are lighthouse enthusiasts or have a fondness for this maritime sentinel to donate. Through your generous tax deductible donations, we can ensure that when Cockspur’s light is turned back on it will stay lit for generations, so visitors and locals alike can further appreciate and enjoy this proud maritime tradition. READ MORE We love our donors!The Friends of Cockspur Island is a non-profit entity and relies primarily on the generous support of our donors. One hundred percent of proceeds help to preserve the Cockspur Island Lighthouse. We are so lucky to have your support! DONATE NOW

TAGS:Cockspur Home Lighthouse 

<<< Thank you for your visit >>>

Situated on an islet off the southeastern tip of Cockspur Island marking the South Channel of the Savannah River, the Cockspur Lighthouse is stands twelve miles east of the port of Savannah.

Hot Websites