Solomons Lump Light

Solomons Lump Light
Location Kedges Straits North of Smith Island
Coordinates 38°02′53″N 76°00′54″W / 38.04806°N 76.01502°W / 38.04806; -76.01502Coordinates: 38°02′53″N 76°00′54″W / 38.04806°N 76.01502°W / 38.04806; -76.01502
Year first constructed 1875 (original screwpile)
Year first lit 1895 (current caisson)
Automated 1950
Foundation Pneumatic caisson
Construction brick
Tower shape square tower on cylindrical base
Markings / pattern white tower on brown base
Focal height 47 feet (14 m)
Original lens fourth order Fresnel lens
Current lens 7.9 inches (200 mm)
Range White:8 nautical miles (15 km; 9.2 mi)
Red: 6 nautical miles (11 km; 6.9 mi)
Characteristic Fl W 6s with two red sectors
Admiralty number J1980
ARLHS number USA-767
USCG number

2-23475 [1] [2]

[3]

Solomons Lump Light is a lighthouse in the Chesapeake Bay, the abbreviated remains of a caisson light built in 1895. That structure replaced a screw-pile light built on the same spot in 1875, which in turn superseded the Fog Point Light.

History

The Fog Point Light, on the northwestern corner of Smith Island, marked the entrance to Kedges Strait from 1827. By 1872 it was held to be ineffective in protecting a shoal extending north from the island, and a new light was sought specifically to mark the shoal. In 1875 a five-legged screw-pile structure was built, which survived until 1893, when ice knocked it over. Initial plans to replace it with a new screw-pile light were changed when extra funds became available from the savings in constructing Wolf Trap Light in Virginia, so a caisson structure was erected instead in 1895, using the pneumatic process to sink it in place. The bottom being soft, the caisson sank further than expected, and an extra course of plates had to be added to the top. A brick tower and octagonal wooden house were erected on this foundation.

Originally the new light was given a fifth-order fresnel lens. In 1919, however, this lens was replaced with the fourth-order lens from Cherrystone Bar Light in Virginia. Automation came in 1950, and some years later the house was removed, leaving the brick tower standing off-center on the platform.

References

  1. ↑ Light List, Volume II, Atlantic Coast, Shrewsbury River, New Jersey to Little River, South Carolina (PDF). Light List. United States Coast Guard. 2009. p. 200.
  2. ↑ "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: Maryland". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office.
  3. ↑ Rowlett, Russ (2010-02-28). "Lighthouses of the United States: Maryland". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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