Digest>Archives> Jan/Feb 2015

Coast Guard Abandons Reef Lighthouses

Sand Key Lighthouse Added to Doomsday List

Comments?    


You can see an enlarged version of this picture by clicking here.
>> Click to enlarge <<
One of the new “half-pint” structures that has ...

Florida’s Carysfort Reef, Sand Key, Sombrero Key, Alligator Key, and American Shoals lighthouses have now, for all practical purposes, been abandoned by the U.S. Coast Guard and the lights from their lanterns have been replaced by so-called temporary “half-pint” beacons mounted atop erector set style structures. The Florida Keys other reef light, the Fowey Rocks Lighthouse is, apparently, still safe enough to climb so that personnel can service the light.

You can see an enlarged version of this picture by clicking here.
>> Click to enlarge <<
Because of its current condition the Sand Key ...

Interestingly, the new “half-pint” lights are all much shorter in height than the actual lighthouses. For example: the “half-pint” lights installed to replace Carysfort Reef and Sand Key lighthouses are only 50 feet tall, compared to the 120 foot tall lighthouses. The total cost of these so-called “temporary lights” is $290,000. Local critics wonder how long the temporary lights will be expected to survive, believing that one strong storm, or hurricane, will destroy them.

You can see an enlarged version of this picture by clicking here.
>> Click to enlarge <<
This close up photo of the lantern of the Sand ...


You can see an enlarged version of this picture by clicking here.
>> Click to enlarge <<
Recent photo of the Fowey Rocks Lighthouse shows ...


You can see an enlarged version of this picture by clicking here.
>> Click to enlarge <<
The recent photo of the virtually abandoned ...


You can see an enlarged version of this picture by clicking here.
>> Click to enlarge <<
The abandoned Sombrero Key Lighthouse in Florida. ...

This story appeared in the Jan/Feb 2015 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. The print edition contains more stories than our internet edition, and each story generally contains more photographs - often many more - in the print edition. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.

All contents copyright © 1995-2024 by Lighthouse Digest®, Inc. No story, photograph, or any other item on this website may be reprinted or reproduced without the express permission of Lighthouse Digest. For contact information, click here.


Subscribe
to Lighthouse Digest



USLHS Marker Fund


Lighthouse History
Research Institute


Shop Online












Subscribe   Contact Us   About Us   Copyright Foghorn Publishing, 1994- 2024   Lighthouse Facts     Lighthouse History