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Lighthouse News of the Week

News of the week October 27, 2023

In Pictures: South Shields (UK) Lighthouse dome lost in storm

The moment the done from South Shields Lighthouse was ripped off has been captured in pictures.

South Shields, UK – Owen Humphries /PA Wire

The lighthouse was battered by Storm Babet leading to the dome being “forcibly removed.”

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AND

‘His light hasn’t gone out’: Last man to light South Shields Lighthouse remembered after Storm Babet damage

Bob Johnson retired from the lighthouse ater a long and colorful life at sea.

When South Shields Lighthouse was badly damaged in last week’s storm many were devastated by the destruction.

Bob Johnson – Shields Gazette

But for one local family it runs much deeper.

“It was sad because to me I thought it was my grandad winking at me, when the light would flash. I always though it was his lighthouse. In my mind, I always thought he was there,” said Clair Watson.

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To the Hudson-Athens (NY) Lighthouse

Lighthouses serve various purposes. They warn ships away from dangerous shores. They’re romantic and evocative and double as tourist attractions. And the one in the Hudson River, just south of the city of Hudson, cautions me that the train will soon be arriving at the station and it’s time to head for the exit.

Hudson Athens, NY – Mike & Carol McKinney

Let me explain. Rushing is required because I prefer to sit in the Albany cars near the front of the train. They tend to be less crowded and the odds of scoring a window seat overlooking the passing river are better. However, only the doors on the rear cars open in Hudson, hence occasioning the rush.

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Click here to see more on the USLHS Research Catalog

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Promoting sustainability at Fanad’s (IE) iconic lighthouse

Last week the Donegal News spoke with Breac House, a hotel in Horn Head spearheading sustainable tourism, this week we travelled further north along the rugged Wild Atlantic Way to Fanad Lighthouse, which is perched on the edge of the world.

Fanad Head, IE – USLHS archive

In 2016 under a new tourism initiative Fanad Lighthouse was opened to the public for the first time offering tours of the iconic building and accomodation in the lighthouse keeper’s cottages.

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Gondan Cuts First Steel for New Northern Lighthouse Board (Scotland) Vessel

Spain’s Gondan Shipbuilders announced it held a stell cutting ceremony marking the start of construction on a new vessel it is building for the Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB), a non-departmental public body responsible for marine navigagion aids around coastal areas for Scotland and the Isle of Man.

Northern Lighthouse Board ensign, Scotland – USLHS archive

The NLB, which has been responsible for the management of lights, buoys and beacons in the region since 1876, plays an essential role in safe navigation.

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See the Lorain Lighthouse (OH) that won ‘Best of Lake Erie’ contest

After 106 years the Lorain Lighthouse still turns heads.

Lorain West Breakwater, OH – USLHS archive

The Lorain Harbor Lighthouse won the ‘Best Lighthouse on Lake Erie’ contest held by Lake Erie Living Magazine, said Frank Sipkovsky chairman of the Lorain Lighthouse Board of Trustees.

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Click here to see more on the USLHS Research Catalog

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Iconic 1882 Stamford Harbor Lighthouse (CT) on Course for Restoration

Stamford- Lighthouses are loved for the beauty of thier settings and the valor of thier purpose- to guide and protect seafarers.

Stamford Harbor, CT – Mike & Carol McKinney

In Stamford Harbor, though, it’s the lighthouse that needs safeguarding.

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Click here to see more in the USLHS Research Catalog 

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The blind Svyatonossky lighthouse (Russia) keeper who defied the odds in the Artic Circle

In Russia at the dawn of the 20th century a lighthouse-keeper lost his sight-yet he defied the odds and continued to tend to his isolated lighthouse in the Artic.

Svyatonossky Lighthouse, Russia – Alina Bystrova

According to the 1875 regualtion passed by Tsar Alexander II for the recuitment of lighthouse-keepers in the White Sea, any keeper ought to be familiar with the tough living conditions on the northern coast, they should be competent, well-disciplined, of good moral standing and endowed with the robust health capable of tolerating the challenges of the task.

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Lighthouse Festival Fireworks Display to be Held on Saturday, November 4

The Berwick Lighthouse Festival announced on Tuesday that the annual fireworks display will go on as scheduled on Saturday, November 4 at 9:00 pm. 
 

Southwest Reef, LA – J Candace Clifford

The fireworks display was previously in doubt due to the statewide burn ban.

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Click here to see more in the USLHS Research Catalog

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San Diego (CA) has hundreds of ghost stories. Here are six you may not have known

Still standing after 200 years, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse is a fixture on the San Diego Bay. It’s also infamous for supposed paranormal activity.

Old Pt. Loma, CA – Ralph Eshelman

Built in 1855, the historic building served the city for 36 years until a new location with a view unobstructed from low lying clouds was discovered.

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Click here to see more in the USLHS Research Catalog

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U.S. Lighthouse Society News is produced by the U.S. Lighthouse Society to support lighthouse preservation, history, education and research.

If you have items of interest to the lighthouse community and its supporters, please email them to Jeremy D’Entremont at Jeremy@uslhs.org

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