Scotland’s Bell Rock Lighthouse operating again after interruption
Bell Rock Lighthouse was built between 1807 and 1810 off the Firth of Tay, in the North Sea off the east coast of Scotland, by the engineer Robert Stevenson. It is considered the world’s oldest sea-washed–or wave-swept, depending on your terminology–lighthouse in the world. The challenges faced and overcome in its construction have also led to its being dubbed one of the Seven Wonders of the Industrial World.
Recently, engineers at Scotland’s Northern Lighthouse Board were alerted to the fact that the light had gone dark after a generator had failed to charge the batteries at the lighthouse. Locals reported that the light hadn’t been seen for several days.
Repairs have been carried out, and the light is again operational. In the long term, there are plans to replace the diesel generator with a solar power system.
You can read more about this story here.
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Night Fest at St. Augustine Lighthouse, Florida on March 2
In an annual celebration of the bond between the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum and the Junior Service League of St. Augustine, the museum will host the annual Lighthouse Night Fest on Saturday, March 2, in conjunction with the JSL’s Lighthouse 5K & Fun Run at the St. Augustine Light Station. The museum will be open for free to all guests from 4 to 8 p.m. Children’s activities will be offered, and guests can tour shipwreck exhibits, the conservation lab, view the boat building, and walk the nature trail.
For more information, go to staugustinelighthouse.org.
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History/Snowshoe Hike around Grand Traverse Lighthouse (Michigan) on March 2
Meet at the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum Gift Shop on Saturday, March 2, at 10 a.m. for a history snowshoe hike around the campground and lighthouse area. This is a ranger-led hike by the Leelanau State Park staff. Complimentary hot chocolate and snacks will be provided afterwards in the gift shop.
“There’s serenity in being in the park and seeing the natural untouched beauty — fresh snow, no footprints — all wild and natural,” said Stephanie Rosinski, Leelanau and Traverse City State Park interim supervisor.
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Remembering Terry Pepper
As reported here earlier this week, Terry Pepper passed away at his home in Brutus, Michigan, last Saturday. Terry was one of the leaders of lighthouse preservation and education in the United States and he will be greatly missed.
From the obituary: A private ceremony will be held for family only but a public memorial is being planned by the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association. Those who wish are asked to consider donations in his memory to the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association, P.O. Box 219, Mackinaw City, MI 49701 or Hospice of the Straits, c/o McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation, 360 Connable Avenue, Suite 3, Petoskey, MI 49770.
Terry was the executive director of the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association for a decade, and they have posted a beautifully produced, moving video tribute to him. Click here to see it.
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If you have items of interest to the lighthouse community and its supporters, please email them to Jeremy at nelights@gmail.com.
Candace was the US Lighthouse Society historian from 2016 until she passed away in August 2018. For 30 years, her work involved lighthouse history. She worked with the National Park Service and the Council of American Maritime Museums. She was a noted author and was considered the most knowledgable person on lighthouse information at the National Archives. Books by Candace Clifford include: Women who Kept the Lights: a History of Thirty-eight Female Lighthouse Keepers , Mind the Light Katie, and Maine Lighthouses, Documentation of their Past.