The tour schedule for 2008 is from Saturday July 5th through August 30th.
Tours run on:
Wednesdays 4:30 PM & 5:30 PM Thursdays 5:00 PM & 6:00 PM Saturdays 1:00 PM & 2:00 PM
A tour to Wood Island Lighthouse is run by the Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse, an all volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The lighthouse is located off the coast of Biddeford Maine and tours leave from Vine's Landing in Biddeford Pool. The guided tour takes about 1 1/2 hours and is subject to Mother Nature and her weather and sea conditions.
You must call 207-286-3229 and make reservations.
Visit the Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse Web Site:
http://www.woodislandlighthouse.org/index.html
Note: My wife and I just went on a tour of Wood Island Lighthouse on July 5, 2008. We had a great time, took lots of pictures (alas - no ghosts!). I would highly recommend a visit, the volunteers have done a terrific job in maintaining and restoring this lighthouse and are well informed and gracious tour guides. gmarlett
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Spring Point Ledge, Light by Greg Marlett
Located on the west side of Portland Harbor, Spring Point Ledge was built in 1897 after several ships had struck the dangerous ledge there that is now covered by a breakwater.
The lighthouse is built in a "spark plug" style on a cylindrical cast-iron caisson. And although it is typical of other caisson lighthouses, it is also unique in many respects. First of all, the tower is built of brick, not of cast-iron. Also the first floor, which is used as a cellar, is actually within the cast iron caisson below the veranda. This is why the tower appears shorter than other towers. In fact, it stands higher than average, and has a focal plane of 54 feet.
Spring Point Ledge is also one of the few caisson lighthouses that are not completely surrounded by water. Thanks to a breakwater built in 1951, it is possible to walk around the light.
The lighthouse was designed so that a male keeper and his assistant would live right inside the tower. It was lonely, isolating work, and keepers had to get very creative when it came to exercise. A favorite pastime was jogging around the main deck; it was said that 56 times around equaled a mile!
The tower is accessible to visitors, although as a rule you are not allowed inside the lighthouse. Several open houses are held each summer that allow tourists to go inside.
Year Established: 1897
Year Automated: 1935
Shape: Conical "spark plug."
Height: 54 ft.
Characteristic: Flashing white every six seconds with two red sectors. Fog signal: One blast every 10 seconds.
Accessibility: The breakwater is accessible, and there is parking nearby, at the end of Fort Road in South Portland. The tower itself is closed to the public, except during open houses and special events. For tour information contact http://www.springpointlight.org/.
Copyright 2007 All rights reserved.
The lighthouse is built in a "spark plug" style on a cylindrical cast-iron caisson. And although it is typical of other caisson lighthouses, it is also unique in many respects. First of all, the tower is built of brick, not of cast-iron. Also the first floor, which is used as a cellar, is actually within the cast iron caisson below the veranda. This is why the tower appears shorter than other towers. In fact, it stands higher than average, and has a focal plane of 54 feet.
Spring Point Ledge is also one of the few caisson lighthouses that are not completely surrounded by water. Thanks to a breakwater built in 1951, it is possible to walk around the light.
The lighthouse was designed so that a male keeper and his assistant would live right inside the tower. It was lonely, isolating work, and keepers had to get very creative when it came to exercise. A favorite pastime was jogging around the main deck; it was said that 56 times around equaled a mile!
The tower is accessible to visitors, although as a rule you are not allowed inside the lighthouse. Several open houses are held each summer that allow tourists to go inside.
Year Established: 1897
Year Automated: 1935
Shape: Conical "spark plug."
Height: 54 ft.
Characteristic: Flashing white every six seconds with two red sectors. Fog signal: One blast every 10 seconds.
Accessibility: The breakwater is accessible, and there is parking nearby, at the end of Fort Road in South Portland. The tower itself is closed to the public, except during open houses and special events. For tour information contact http://www.springpointlight.org/.
Copyright 2007 All rights reserved.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Ram Island Ledge by Greg Marlett
The Ram Island Ledge lighthouse is surrounded by several dangerous ledges that caused many shipwrecks. There were four shipwrecks alone on May 27, 1866! When the 400-foot transatlantic steamer, California, ran aground the government was finally convinced a lighthouse needed to be there.
The Ram Island Ledge, which sits at the northern entrance to Portland Harbor, was one of the last lighthouses in Maine erected. It is granite tower that is very similar in appearance to the Graves Light in Boston Harbor.
Ram Island Ledge is best seen from Port Williams State Park in Cape Elizabeth.
Year Established: 1905
Year Automated: 1959
Shape: Conical
Height: 90 ft.
Characteristic: Two white flashes every six seconds. Fog signal: one blast every 10 seconds.
Accessibility: The light can be seen from many areas with Fort Williams Park. The park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset, and there is no admission fee.
The Ram Island Ledge, which sits at the northern entrance to Portland Harbor, was one of the last lighthouses in Maine erected. It is granite tower that is very similar in appearance to the Graves Light in Boston Harbor.
Ram Island Ledge is best seen from Port Williams State Park in Cape Elizabeth.
Year Established: 1905
Year Automated: 1959
Shape: Conical
Height: 90 ft.
Characteristic: Two white flashes every six seconds. Fog signal: one blast every 10 seconds.
Accessibility: The light can be seen from many areas with Fort Williams Park. The park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset, and there is no admission fee.
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