LIGHTHOUSE PHOTOS
Click photo to enlarge
Bloody Point Bar Light current appearance
Bloody Point Bar Lighthouse, Maryland"; 3 July 1885; photo by Major Jared A. Smith
Blody Point Bar Light
|
Kent Island, Maryland, USA
Designated Waterway: Chesapeake Bay
The Bloody Bar Point in it's original location. Lighthouse location is off the southern tip of Kent Island, MD, Chesapeake Bay.
A light was requested for this location as early as 1868 to mark both the bar and the northern entrance to the Eastern Bay. It was also felt that it could also serve as a backup should the Thomas Point screw-pile light ever succumb to ice. However, Congress did not approve the funds until 1881. At that time $25,000 was appropriated for a caisson light similar to the one then under construction at Sharps Island. Construction began in June 1882 and was relatively uneventful. The light was commissioned October 1 of the same year. A fourth order Fresnel lens was exhibited.
In February 1883 a room was added to house a fog bell and striker.
The winter of 1882 – 3 included several severe storms and the resulting scour caused the light to tilt noticeably just one year after its construction. Riprap stone was immediately set around the base to halt further scour. In 1884 more permanent fixes were made – Sand was dredged from one side to bring the tower to a more upright position, then an apron of over 750 tons of stone was laid at the caisson base. The repair was successful, though a slight list still exists.
In 1960 a fire, which began in the equipment room, rapidly engulfed the light. The two Coast Guard attendants initially fought the blaze, then barely escaped with their lives before the large fuel tanks exploded. The structure was completely gutted and is now just an iron shell with a steel ladder inside for access to the lantern.
This information was researched and written by Matthew B. Jenkins, a volunteer through the Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Light House Society.
| Location Type |
Offshore |
|
Construction Type |
Caisson |
| Original Optics |
Fourth order Fresnel lens |
| Current Optics |
Fourth order Fresnel lens |
| Year Built |
1882 |
| Builder: |
|
| Operational: |
Yes |
| Date Deactivited: |
|
| Automated: |
Yes |
|
Markings: |
|
| Shape: |
Caisson with iron dwelling / tower (spark plug caisson) |
| Height: |
54 feet |
| Focal
Plane Height: |
|
| Range: |
white – 9 miles, red – 7 miles |
| Sound
Signal Building: |
No |
| Sound
Device: |
Foghorn backed up by a bell |
| Existing
Keepers Quarters: |
Integrated |
| Current
Use: |
Active USCG ATON |
| Current
Owner/Manager: |
USCG |
| Open to
the Public: |
No |
| Web
Site: |
Bloody Bar Point |
National Register Status:
Miscellaneous
|
