Dotting the shorelines of Maryland and Virginia can be found Chesapeake Bay Lighthouses, a reminder of the innovation that protected the shores of the U. S. Being a major port city and the largest city in the area, Baltimore needed to protect their citizens. The Potomac River leads to the capital city of the country, Washington, and is accessed though this bay. John Donahoo was responsible for building many of the lighthouses on the Potomac River, seven are still in existence and two still function. The U. S. Coast Guard operates them but they are owned locally.
Cape Charles Light Station Smith Island, Virginia was erected in 1828 but destroyed in 1862 by Confederate forces. In 1864 it was rebuilt but eventually it eroded. It was renovated and a tower was built in 1894 which was later automated in 1963.
One of the oldest lighthouses on the bay, the New and Old Cape Henry Lighthouse Towers in Cape Henry, Virginia, was built in 1792. It memorializes the first settlers to the area. Confederate soldiers destroyed it's lantern, but since it was a strategic beacon a replacement was made in 1863 and a military guard was posted for it's safety. It began to crack in 1872 and was repaired. In 1929 it became the first radio distance station worldwide, it flashes a "U" in Morse code.
Thimble Shoals Lighthouse in Hampton Roads Virginia was built in 1872 at the mouth of the Hampton Roads Harbor. On a stormy night in 1909 a schooner being towed by a tugboat came loose and crashed into the lighthouse, the bow of the boat coming through the wall to the amazement of the lighthouse keepers. A coal stove in the lighthouse overturned causing it to catch fire, oil storage tanks exploded and it burned to it's foundation. A new lighthouse was built in 1914 and automated in 1964.
In 1892 the Newport News Middleground Lighthouse Newport News, Virginia was built, this area is where the largest Naval base in the states resides with hundreds of ships visiting the harbor. It's caisson construction is one of the oldest on the bay. A lighthouse keeper lived in it until 1954 when an automated foghorn was installed to strike every 15 seconds every day of the week from September through June.
In 1805 the New Point Comfort Lighthouse, Mobjack Bay Matthews, Virginia was constructed. Confederate soldiers attacked it during the Civil War and an offshore beacon was erected in 1963. A memorial was built in the 1980's in honor of the local seamen who lost their lives at sea.
In 1883 in just 10 feet of water the Drum Point Lighthouse on the Patuxent River in Maryland was erected. As time went on it was on dry land and the Calvert Country Historical Society acquired it in 1974 moving it up the river to the site of the Calvert Marine Museum.
Lighthouses have always protected the shores of the United States and date back hundreds of years. In times gone by men used to man the Chesapeake Bay lighthouses and keep a vigilant watch over the shore checking for possible enemy invasion or endangered ships getting too close to shore, sometimes unable to navigate through the fog.
Cape Charles Light Station Smith Island, Virginia was erected in 1828 but destroyed in 1862 by Confederate forces. In 1864 it was rebuilt but eventually it eroded. It was renovated and a tower was built in 1894 which was later automated in 1963.
One of the oldest lighthouses on the bay, the New and Old Cape Henry Lighthouse Towers in Cape Henry, Virginia, was built in 1792. It memorializes the first settlers to the area. Confederate soldiers destroyed it's lantern, but since it was a strategic beacon a replacement was made in 1863 and a military guard was posted for it's safety. It began to crack in 1872 and was repaired. In 1929 it became the first radio distance station worldwide, it flashes a "U" in Morse code.
Thimble Shoals Lighthouse in Hampton Roads Virginia was built in 1872 at the mouth of the Hampton Roads Harbor. On a stormy night in 1909 a schooner being towed by a tugboat came loose and crashed into the lighthouse, the bow of the boat coming through the wall to the amazement of the lighthouse keepers. A coal stove in the lighthouse overturned causing it to catch fire, oil storage tanks exploded and it burned to it's foundation. A new lighthouse was built in 1914 and automated in 1964.
In 1892 the Newport News Middleground Lighthouse Newport News, Virginia was built, this area is where the largest Naval base in the states resides with hundreds of ships visiting the harbor. It's caisson construction is one of the oldest on the bay. A lighthouse keeper lived in it until 1954 when an automated foghorn was installed to strike every 15 seconds every day of the week from September through June.
In 1805 the New Point Comfort Lighthouse, Mobjack Bay Matthews, Virginia was constructed. Confederate soldiers attacked it during the Civil War and an offshore beacon was erected in 1963. A memorial was built in the 1980's in honor of the local seamen who lost their lives at sea.
In 1883 in just 10 feet of water the Drum Point Lighthouse on the Patuxent River in Maryland was erected. As time went on it was on dry land and the Calvert Country Historical Society acquired it in 1974 moving it up the river to the site of the Calvert Marine Museum.
Lighthouses have always protected the shores of the United States and date back hundreds of years. In times gone by men used to man the Chesapeake Bay lighthouses and keep a vigilant watch over the shore checking for possible enemy invasion or endangered ships getting too close to shore, sometimes unable to navigate through the fog.
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