Bullock's Point Light

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Bullock's Point Light
Bullock's Point Light
Locationsouthwest of Bullock's Point in the Providence River
Coordinates 41°44′15.72″N71°21′51.12″W / 41.7377000°N 71.3642000°W / 41.7377000; -71.3642000
Tower
Constructed1876  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
FoundationGranite pier
ConstructionWood frame
Automated1940  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Height35 feet (11 m)
ShapeRectangular house with lantern on roof
Light
First lit1876
Deactivated1939
Focal height50 feet (15 m)
Lenssixth-order Fresnel lens
Range7.5 nautical miles (14 km; 9 mi)
Characteristic fixed red

The Bullock's Point Light was a lighthouse in the Providence River. It was irreparably damaged by the hurricane of 1938 and was replaced the following year by an automated light on a steel tower.

Contents

History

A large shoal extends out into the Providence River from Bullock's Point, and in 1860 the Lighthouse Board set a daymark at the southwest tip of the shoal. Complaints about the adequacy of this grew as shipping increased, and in 1872 built a small pier at the site and set a portable beacon on it, maintained by the keepers of the Sabin Point Light. This too was deemed inadequate, and starting in 1875 the pier was enlarged, and a unique frame house was perched upon it, with the lantern projecting from the center of the roof. Difficulties in construction due to bad weather delayed lighting of the new beacon until 1876. Over the years decking was added at the base of the house.

Although the Hurricane of 1938 did not utterly destroy the lighthouse, the damage was severe. One of the end walls was totally stove in, and the stairs to the second floor were destroyed. Nonetheless, the keeper, Andrew Zuius, was able to take refuge upstairs and even kept the light burning through the storm. He continued to tend the light into the following year, while living on shore; but in 1939 he was transferred to the Palmer Island Light and the house was demolished. A modern steel tower was placed on the remains of the pier, and it remains in operation to the present.

Keepers

KeeperYears
Joseph Bowes1872-1875
John J. Weeden1875-1877
Stephen A. Hawkins1877-1885
Charles Lough1885-1886
Joseph B. Eddy1886-1892
John J. Card1892-1901
William T. Tengren1901-1909
John F. Anderson1909-1910
Arthur J. Baldwin1910-1914
Willis Green1914-1915
Charles C. Fletcher1915-1916
Julius Johanson1916-1918
Unknown1918-1927
Andrew Zuius1927-1939

Notes