Deer Island Light

The Deer Island Light is situated on Deer Island, located in Boston Harbor, Massachusetts, USA. The address of the light is at the end of the Deer Island Loop Trail. Visitors can access the light by following the trail to its location.

History

• The first stone beacon was established on Deer Island in 1832. A sparkplug type light was installed in 1890, which cost approximately $50,000. The structure included a three-story dwelling, a veranda with boat davits, and a circular parapet.
• The water supply was a cistern located at the base of the tower. The light had a fixed white light that was later changed to flashing red every thirty seconds and then to an alternating red and white pattern.
• The old light gradually deteriorated and was replaced in 1982 by a white fiberglass tower. However, this new structure raised concerns due to its similarity in color to the surrounding environment, making it difficult to see.
• As a result, the Coast Guard moved the light to Great Point Light, Nantucket, as a temporary replacement when that tower was destroyed by a storm in March 1984.
• A brown fiberglass tower was installed immediately after, but it was later dismantled and replaced with a new structure between October 2015 and May 2016. The current light uses LED technology and sits atop four steel skeletal piles.

Architecture

The Deer Island Light is a notable example of a lighthouse in the United States. Its original sparkplug type light was imported from England, making it one of the first of its kind in the country. The structure features a circular parapet and a veranda with boat davits.

The current brown fiberglass tower was installed after the old light's replacement in 1982. It stands approximately 53 feet above Mean High Water, with a focal height of around 100 feet. The light has an alternating red and white pattern that is visible for 9 nautical miles (17 km; 10 mi).

Current Status

The Deer Island Light is currently an automated structure, using LED technology to produce its light. It sits atop four steel skeletal piles and can be activated by nearby mariners who tune their marine VHF radio to channel 83A (157.17 MHz) and key the transmitter five times consecutively.

Heritage Status

The Deer Island Light is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its historical significance as a lighthouse in Boston Harbor.

Notable Historical Events

• The light has been involved in several notable events throughout its history. In 1984, it was temporarily relocated to Great Point Light, Nantucket, after being destroyed by a storm.
• The structure's replacement with a new fiberglass tower also marked an important change in its design and functionality.