Whaleback Light Portsmouth Harbor

I would like to post some articles I have copyrighted, in 2006, pertaining to some interesting background information on still funtioning Maine Lighthouses. I welcome all feedback and response, not only to my article posts, but to the subject of lighthouses in general. I would love to hear about interesting folklore and information concerning the lighthouse keepers, as well. Please enjoy the articles, but remember, this is copyrighted material and I reserve all rights, when it comes to reprinting, copying etc.

There are 54 operating lighthouses left along the coast of Maine, most of them built in the 19th century. Each one has a long and storied history. Some of them are known for the wrecks that washed up along their shores, others for the ghosts that haunt their towers. Others are known for the keepers who gave up normal lives for themselves and their families to keep the lights running.

When lighthouses became automated in the 20th century the keepers left their posts. Many of the stations fell into disrepair, and some buildings were removed or razed to conserve maintenance costs. And perhaps this is another reason why lighthouses are so interesting. They are the last remaining vestiges of a way of life that no longer exists.

Whaleback Light
The least glamorous of all the southern coast lighthouses, Whaleback Light is situated on the northeast side of Portsmouth Harbor at the mouth of the Piscataqua River, and is approachable through the town of Kittery. This lonely and somewhat drab looking lighthouse is conical in shape and made of dovetailed granite ashtar. Structurally it resembles England's Eddystone Lighthouse. It stands 50 feet tall and has a black cast-iron lantern.

However, Whaleback light has had its share of controversy. Because of its location New Hampshire and Maine had a decades-long dispute about which state the light really
belonged to. The U.S. Coast Guard settled the dispute when they decided that the rocks the lighthouse sits on are in Maine waters.

This lighthouse had a rough start, and because of its history of structural deficiencies it's amazing that the light is still operational today. It was initially erected in 1820, but a rough winter with many harsh storms immediately damaged the lighthouse beyond repair. A second lighthouse—the one you see today—was built on the site in 1831. This time, however, the tower's foundation was not bolted to the bedrock. These construction issues were eventually addressed and improved upon. The lighthouse, still wobbly, somehow managed to stand for 40 years! In 1872 more improvements were made, specifically the bottom of the old structure and base of today's 75-foot tower were combined, and this time someone remembered to bolt the whole thing to the bedrock!

Year Established: 1820
Year Automated: 1963
Shape: Conical
Height: 50 ft.
Characteristic: Two white flashes every 10 seconds. Fog signal: Two blasts every 30 seconds. Interesting note: In 1991 the Coast Guard lowered the volume of the fog signal because the vibrations were damaging the lighthouses's walls.

Accessibility: The light is accessible only by boat and is closed to the public. The best places to view it are Fort McClary State Historic Site and Fort Foster in Kittery off of 103. It can also be viewed from Fort Constitution and New Castle Island Park in New Castle, NH.