#77: Lighthouses Shine on the North Fork’s Nautical Heritage

If you have ever gazed out into the water of the East End and have seen the telltale light of a lighthouse, think of this: the North Fork is home to seven offshore and one onshore lighthouse.

Lighthouses are official “federal aids to navigation” and warn ships about hazards. The North Fork’s rocky coastline can be challenging to novice boaters and the lights serve as a guide, said Ted Webb, chair of East End Seaport Museum and Marine Foundation.

Years ago, all the lighthouses were manned and Webb said whale oil was the original source of light. In the 1920s, the Coast Guard stationed personnel at the lights and over the years, the Coast Guard scaled back its role to facility and light maintenance.

“Our mission is to preserve and be an advocate to all of Southold Town’s lighthouses,” Webb said.

Webb said the museum’s are a key fundraiser for the group and offer a way to get up close in personal to seven local lights. Even though several of this lighthouses are visible on 's trip to New London, Webb said the museum's cruises offer a different perspective.

When the cruise leaves Greenport, it goes by Long Beach Bar (Bug), as it heads through Orient it will pass the Orient Point Lighthouse (nicknamed the Coffee Pot) and Plum Island Lighthouse. Little Gull, Race Rock (made famous SyFy channel’s Ghost Hunters), North Dumpling, and Latimer Reef round out the list. What makes these trips unique, is museum volunteers narrate the history of the lighthouses while the captain gives visitors an up close view. Webb said, visitors can practically touch Little Gull lighthouse and Harbor Seals frolic close to the boat.

“Onshore lighthouses are accessible to visit such as but the offshore lighthouses are often in treacherous waters,” Webb said.

The seaport museum actually owns Bug Light. The original lighthouse burned to the ground in 1963, but was rebuilt in 1990 by the financial and works –in- kind support of hundreds of people. For a time, Bug light was open for visits but the practice ended. Webb said the museum is working on getting approval to extend the pier, which would allow the public to visit Bug light again.

Webb said he is concerned about the future of the local lighthouses. The government has offered Race Rock and Orient Point Lighthouse to any agency willing to take it on. The highest bidder will take over maintenance of the facility and the Coast Guard will care for the light. Webb said lighthouses are costly to maintain and worries that any organization that purchase the lighthouse could run into financial difficulties. He also wondered what would happen if nobody bids on them. He said the museum has filled out initial paperwork to bid on Orient Point Lighthouse, but acknowledges it is a daunting task. Latimer Reef and Little Dumpling are privately owned.

If you are unable to book a cruise, Horton’s Point Lighthouse in Southold is open on weekends from Memorial Day through Columbus Day.

For additional information on the Lighthouse Cruises, visit http://www.eastendseaport.org/cruises.htm or call 631-477-2100.