Ten Pound Island Lighthouse

Year Built

1821

Cost

$4,500

Type

Conical tower

Height

39 feet

Location

Gloucester

Automated Year

1934

First Lit

1881

Lens Type

Fifth order Fresnel lens (original), 9.8 inches (250 mm) lens (current)

Fog Signal

None

Year Deactivated

1956 - 1989

Color

White with black lantern

Last Keeper - Date

Andrew M. McLaughlin (1955 – 1956)

Description

Cast Iron tower, but keeper’s dwelling was razed in 1965

Brief History

•  In 1849, George W. Davis, a former sailor who developed deafness at sea, took over the role of keeper.
•  In 1881, a new wooden keeper’s dwelling and a thirty-foot conical cast-iron tower, which was lined with brick, were constructed.
•  James Sayward was the first keeper of Ten Pound Island Light, and he was followed in 1833 by Amos Story, who was paid $350 annually.
•  In 1925 a Coast Guard air station was placed on the island with one small scout plane.
•  In the late 1980s, renovation of the lighthouse was performed under the leadership of The Lighthouse Preservation Society.