Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Lighthouse of the Week, September 25 - October 1, 2022: Navassa Island, United States

 

Did you know that there is a small island between Jamaica and far southwest Haiti, that is a part of the United States?

Until a few minutes before I wrote this, I didn't either.  I was stumped for a Lighthouse of the Week, and so I went to the Lighthouse Directory, and at the top, in the Southeastern United States and U.S. Caribbean section, there it is; and because I didn't recognize it, I clicked on it to find out more.

This is what I found out (edited):

"1917. Inactive since 1996. 162 ft (49 m) round cylindrical white reinforced concrete tower with lantern and gallery. The lighthouse is unpainted; lantern painted black. The 1-story keeper's house is unroofed and in ruins. ... This unusual and historic lighthouse was built to guide ships bound for the Panama Canal. Unfortunately, the lighthouse is now critically endangered by abandonment and lack of maintenance. ... Located near the highest point of the island (the focal plane was 395 ft (120 m)). Site restricted (sensitive ecological area), tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service."

And here it is.  It's not big.  It's administered by an office out of Puerto Rico.

Below, three pictures.  There aren't a lot more;  it's not on the major cruise routes.  Being somewhat close to Cuba probably has something to do with that.






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