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Deer Island Thorofare Light Station

47MW+PM Stonington, ME, USA

Name and Location

Deer Island Thorofare Light Station is located at 47MW+PM Stonington, ME, USA, situated on Deer Island in Hancock County, Maine.

Construction and History

The Deer Island Thorofare Light Station was constructed in 1932 during the Great Depression era. It has been serving mariners since its inception.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse is an excellent example of a turret-style lighthouse designed to withstand harsh marine environments. The tower stands at 35 feet tall with a focal height of 125 feet above sea level, constructed from granite and concrete for durability.

Light and Navigation

The original light featured a third-order Fresnel lens, replaced by a magnetic compass in 1980. The light characteristic has been Fl (3) W 15s since its inception, signifying a flashing white light every 15 seconds. Today, the lighthouse is automated and operated remotely by the United States Coast Guard.

Accessibility and Visiting

Visitors can access the Deer Island Thorofare Light Station via a short walk from the parking area to the tower. The lighthouse is situated on a small island in the Penobscot Bay, surrounded by scenic coastal views and wildlife habitats.

Notable Views and Landscape

The surrounding area is home to a variety of wildlife, including seabirds, seals, and small fish populations. The lighthouse stands amidst a picturesque landscape of rocky shores, sandy beaches, and dense forests.

Anecdotes and Folklore

Local folklore tells the story of lighthouse keepers who bravely weathered storms to ensure the light remained operational, guiding vessels safely through treacherous waters.

Technical and Operational Details

The Deer Island Thorofare Light Station is an automated lighthouse operated remotely by the United States Coast Guard. Although no longer used for navigation purposes, it remains an important beacon for local fishermen and boaters.

Further Information

  • For additional information on the Deer Island Thorofare Light Station and its surrounding region, consult the following resources: United States Coast Guard (USCG) historical records, National Park Service (NPS) archives, and Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) publications.

Details

NameDeer Island Thorofare Light Station
City
CountryUsa
Coordinates44.134369, -68.7032531
Year of construction1932
Eventsshipwrecks or rescues
Keeper storiesquotes from former lighthouse keepers
Storieslocal folklore tells the story of lighthouse keepers
Architectural styleturret-style lighthouse
Construction material"granite and concrete"
Focal height125
Tower height35
Heritage statustrue
Renovationsconverted to magnetic compass in 1980
Access descriptionwalk from parking area to tower
Accessibletrue
Landscape typerocky shores, sandy beaches, dense forests
View descriptionscenic coastal views and wildlife habitats
Guided toursfalse
Facilitiestoilets, cafe, gift shop
AIS Radarfalse
Light characteristic"Fl (3) W 15s"
Automatedtrue