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Tarpaulin Cove Light is an active 19th-century aid to navigation located on Naushon Island, one of the privately-held Elizabeth Islands in Gosnold, Dukes County, Massachusetts. The lighthouse stands at a latitude of 41°28′07.7″ N and longitude of 70°45′26.99″ W.

Construction and History

The Tarpaulin Cove Light was authorized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1759 and initially consisted of a stone cairn and whale-oil lantern. In 1817, an early keeper's house was added, followed by the construction of the present brick tower and one-story keeper's house in 1859. The station was automated around 1941-1958, and keepers were withdrawn. The lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

Architecture and Materials

The Tarpaulin Cove Light features a mid-19th-century New England lighthouse architectural style, with a functional vernacular design. The tower is constructed from brick on a rubblestone foundation, while the attached wood-frame keeper's house is clad in clapboard and painted white. The tower itself is octagonal, rising 13.7 meters (45 ft) above its base.

Light and Navigation

The lighthouse exhibits a flashing white light once every six seconds, with a nominal range of approximately 9 nautical miles (16 km). The original lens was a fourth-order Fresnel lens, which has been replaced by a modern marine beacon likely powered by solar panels and battery backup. The aid to navigation is managed by the United States Coast Guard.

Accessibility and Visiting

The lighthouse is located on private Naushon Island, owned by the Forbes family and managed as part of a wildlife refuge. As such, it is not open to the public for visitation. The best way to view the lighthouse is by private boat or charter from Woods Hole.

Notable Views and Landscape

The Tarpaulin Cove Light stands on rugged granite shoreline, surrounded by mixed hardwood forest and coastal marshes that provide important habitat for migratory birds. Nearby islands include Cuttyhunk (public access), Penikese (bird sanctuary), Pasque, and Nashawena. The mainland gateway is Woods Hole, Falmouth, which offers ferry services, research institutions, and the Marine Biological Laboratory.

Anecdotes and Folklore

Local legend has it that a keeper's wife once haunted the light after perishing in a Christmas gale, although this story lacks primary source confirmation. Another theory suggests that "Tarpaulin" refers to the heavy canvas tarpaulins used by 18th-century sailors who sheltered in the cove from sudden gales.

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is fully automated and has been since the mid-20th century, with no on-site keeper. The aid to navigation is powered by solar panels with battery backup and features a modern marine beacon as its optic. There are no ancillary equipment publicly noted (no AIS or radar co-location).

Further Information

For further information, please consult Wikipedia, USCG Light List, NOAA Chart 13246, Massachusetts' "Lighthouses of Cape Cod" publication, and the National Register nomination form (1987).