Cuttyhunk Light
Cuttyhunk Memorial Tower, West End Rd, Cuttyhunk, MA 02713, USA
Name and Location
The Cuttyhunk Light was a maritime beacon located at the western tip of Cuttyhunk Island in the Town of Gosnold, Dukes County, Massachusetts, USA.
2. Construction and History
Established in 1823, the Cuttyhunk Light served as a guide for vessels navigating through the treacherous waters of Vineyard Sound for over a century. In 1891, the tower was reconstructed or replaced with a cast-iron structure featuring a sixth-order Fresnel lens. The beacon was deactivated by the U.S. Coast Guard in 1947 and removed by around 1949.
3. Architecture and Materials
The original tower type was a small masonry or cast-iron conical structure attached to the keeper's dwelling, with specifics unrecorded in available sources. The typical height of a small New England station like this one would have been around 30 feet, with a focal plane at approximately 40-60 feet.
4. Light and Navigation
The Cuttyhunk Light exhibited a fixed white light with an approximate range of 8-10 nautical miles.
5. Accessibility and Visiting
Today, visitors can access the site, which features a small memorial tower standing on or near the original foundation. The site is marked by the Cuttyhunk Memorial Tower and offers panoramic views of Vineyard Sound, the Elizabeth Islands chain, and Martha's Vineyard to the east.
6. Notable Views and Landscape
Visitors can enjoy the scenic vista from the tower, taking in the surrounding waters and islands on a clear day.
7. Anecdotes and Folklore
No anecdotes or folklore are available for this lighthouse.
8. Technical and Operational Details
The Cuttyhunk Light was originally maintained by the United States Lighthouse Service and later the U.S. Coast Guard. The site is now cared for by the Cuttyhunk Historical Society in partnership with the Town of Gosnold.
9. Further Information
For further information, please refer to MassGIS – Office of Geographic and Environmental Information (Massachusetts): "Lighthouses of Massachusetts", the Cuttyhunk Historical Society: https://www.cuttyhunkhistoricalsociety.org/lighthouse/, Wikipedia: "Cuttyhunk Light" (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuttyhunk_Light), and NOAA Nautical Chart 13201 (Vineyard Sound).
Details
| Name | Cuttyhunk Light |
|---|---|
| City | Gosnold (Cuttyhunk Island) |
| Country | Usa |
| Coordinates | 41.4144982, -70.9495702 |
| Year of construction | 1823 |
| Events | Deactivated by the U.S. Coast Guard in 1947; beacon removed by about 1949. |
| Historic significance | Maritime beacon that guided vessels through the treacherous waters of Vineyard Sound. |
| Stories | Originally established in the early 19th century and deactivated in 1947. |
| Construction material | ["Masonry","Cast-iron"] |
| Renovations | Major tower reconstruction or replacement in 1891 (cast-iron tower with sixth-order Fresnel lens). |
| Access description | Public access: open, roadside site; reached via West End Road. |
| Accessible | true |
| View description | Panoramic vista of Vineyard Sound, Elizabeth Islands chain and, on clear days, Martha’s Vineyard to the east. |
| Guided tours | false |
| Facilities | Rustic picnic area, Public restrooms at town docks. |
| Opening hours | Free, daylight access only. |
| Nearby attractions | ["Cuttyhunk Historical Society Museum","Menemsha Bight beach (East End)","Hiking trails","Seasonal ferry service to New Bedford and Martha’s Vineyard."] |
| Light characteristic | "Fixed white light." |
| Light range | "approximately 8–10 nautical miles." |
| Automated | false |