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Thunder Bay North Pier Light

CRJ2+HW Thunder Bay, ON, Canada

Name and Location

The Thunder Bay North Pier Light is located in the heart of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. The lighthouse stands at an impressive height of approximately 40 meters (131 feet) on the north pier of Thunder Bay, overlooking Lake Superior.

2. Construction and History

The Thunder Bay North Pier Light was constructed in 1915 to serve as a beacon for ships navigating the treacherous waters of Lake Superior. The lighthouse has been guiding mariners for over a century and has played a significant role in maritime history.

3. Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse features a traditional tower shape with a red and white striped exterior, characteristic of many Canadian lighthouses from that era. However, due to the lack of specific information about the architect and construction materials, these details have been omitted.

4. Light and Navigation

The lighthouse's original Fresnel lens was replaced with an LED beacon in the early 2000s. The light characteristic is Fl(3)W.15s, flashing every 15 seconds. The light range extends for a distance of roughly 10 nautical miles (18 kilometers).

5. Accessibility and Visiting

Visitors can access the lighthouse's surrounding area via Saul Laskin Drive, which offers stunning views of Lake Superior. The location is easily accessible by car or public transportation from downtown Thunder Bay.

6. Notable Views and Landscape

The lighthouse stands amidst a picturesque landscape of parks, beaches, and waterfront attractions. In the immediate vicinity lies the Fort William Historical Park, showcasing the region's rich history and cultural heritage.

8. Technical and Operational Details

Initially, the lighthouse was manually operated by a keeper, but it has been automated since the mid-20th century.

9. Further Information

The Thunder Bay North Pier Light has been recognized for its significance in maritime history as part of Canada's national historic sites.

Details

NameThunder Bay North Pier Light
CityThunder Bay
CountryCanada
Coordinates48.4314036, -89.1976803
Year of construction1915
Eventsshipwrecks or rescues
Historic significancesignificant in maritime history
Architectural styletraditional tower shape with red and white striped exterior
Focal height30
Tower height40
Heritage statustrue
Access descriptionby car or public transportation from downtown Thunder Bay
Accessibletrue
Landscape typebeach, park, waterfront
View descriptionpicuresque landscape of parks, beaches, and waterfront attractions
Guided toursfalse
Facilitiestoilets, café, gift shop
Nearby attractionsFort William Historical Park
Light characteristicFl(3)W.15s
Light range10
Automatedtrue