Deborah & William Hillyard
Deborah & William Hillyard
Deborah & William Hillyard
Deborah & William Hillyard
Deborah & William Hillyard

Vacations -

Lighthouses

Chatham Lighthouse, Cape Cod, MA

The Chatham Lighthouse is just outside of Chatham in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.  The lighthouse was first built in 1808, comprising a pair of octagonal wooden towers approximately 12 meters (40 feet) high.  This served a dual purpose; to distinguish the light from the Highland, and to act as "range lights" to mark the safe channel. 
The staircase that winds its way up the inside of the lighthouse. 
Two similar views; one on a clear day,
the other in fog.  You can see the light
flashing in the second picture. 
Two views of the tower taken several years apart!
The original fourth order Fresnel lens and lantern are on display at the Atwood House Museum in Chatham, MA. 

The image to the right shows the 1841 brick towers that replaced the original wooden towers. 
In 1923 a clockwork rotating mechanism was installed, so there was no longer a need for two towers to differentiate Chatham from the Highland.  The Northern tower was moved north, and became the Nauset Beach Light.  In 1939, the kerosene lamp was replaced with an electric lamp, and in 1969 a new powerful rotating light was installed with a new lantern.  The lighthouse was automated in 1982, and now operates 24 hours a day.  Finally, in 1993 DCB-224 aerobeacons were installed.  These are high-power spotlight designed and built by Carlisle & Finch, though they are no linger made. 
By 1841, the towers were replaced with brick structures, and fourth order Fresnel lenses were installed in 1857, fuelled by lard oil.  The towers were replaced again in 1879 with brick and iron structures using the lenses from the previous towers.  The lights became kerosene fueled by 1882. 
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