Hog Island Shoal Lighthouse

Year Built

1886

Cost

$35,000

Type

Sparkplug

Height

60 feet

Location

Portsmouth

Automated Year

1964

First Lit

1901

Lens Type

Fifth order Fresnel lens 1901 (original), VLB-44 (LED) (current)

Fog Signal

Horn, 2 blasts every 30 seconds

Year Deactivated

Active

Color

White conical tower on black cylindrical pier

Last Keeper - Date

Donald J. Buotte (1962 – at least 1963)

Description

A circular concrete foundation set in about 10 feet, and rising about 6 feet above the water line.

Brief History

•  Work on the foundation caisson began at the site in late 1900 and was completed the following July, when work on the superstructure started.
•  Edward Duffy spent nearly thirty years at Hog Island Shoal Lighthouse, starting at an assistant in 1916 and being promoted to head keeper in 1918.
•  The tower survived the storm, and just over two years later, personnel were permanently removed from the lighthouse with its automation in June 1964.
•  In 1988 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
•  In 2006 the lighthouse was auctioned by the GSA as government surplus to a private buyer.