Cape Hinchinbrook Light Explained

Cape Hinchinbrook Light
Location:Hinchinbrook Island
Prince William Sound
Alaska
United States
Coordinates:60.2373°N -146.6467°W
Yearbuilt:1910 (first)
Yearlit:1934 (current)
Automated:1974
Foundation:concrete and rock
Construction:reinforced concrete tower
Shape:octagonal tower with lantern
Marking:art deco architecture
white tower, black lantern
Lens:Third order Fresnel lens (original), Vega lens (current)
Characteristic:Fl W 15s.
obscured from 134° to 135° and 138° to 283°
emergency light, Fl W 6s. of reduced intensity if main light is extinguished.[1]
Managingagent:United States Coast Guard[2]
Module:
Cape Hinchinbrook Light Station
Embed:yes
Nrhp Type:hd
Nocat:yes
Architect:D.A. Chase; Edwin Laird
Added:July 29, 2005
Mpsub:Light Stations of the United States MPS
Refnum:05000728
Designated Other1:Alaska Heritage Resources Survey
Designated Other1 Name:Alaska Heritage Resources Survey
Designated Other1 Color:
  1. A8EDEF
Designated Other1 Abbr:AHRS
Designated Other1 Number:COR-095
Designated Other1 Num Position:bottom

The Cape Hinchinbrook Light is a lighthouse located near the southern end of Hinchinbrook Island adjacent to Prince William Sound, in Alaska, United States.

History

The Cape Hinchinbrook Lighthouse was first established in 1910 to mark the entrance to Prince William Sound. Congress authorized the construction of a lighthouse at this point in 1906 appropriating $125,000 for its construction. However, the full amount was not authorized in one lump sum. The money was appropriated over a number of years with $25,000 in 1906, $50,000 in 1907 and the rest in 1908. As a result, construction did not begin until 1909. In the winter of 1909 a temporary fixed white light was established on the second story of the building under construction. Due to the earthquakes in 1927 and 1928, which caused instability in the cliff around the lighthouse, it was felt a new light should be built on solid rock. The new 67feet octagonal tower was completed in 1934. The lighthouse was automated in 1974 and a solar-powered Vega lens was installed. The original third order Fresnel lens is on display at the Valdez Museum and Historical Archive in Valdez, Alaska.

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Cape Hinchinbrook Light Station in 2005. The listing was for a historic district including two contributing buildings, three contributing structure, one contributing site, and three contributing objects.[3]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Inventory of Historic Light Stations: Alaska Lighthouses . 2002-02-13 . National Park Service . 2008-03-12.
  2. 2016-06-07.
  3. Web site: [{{NRHP url|id=05000728}} National Register of Historic Places Registration: Cape Hinchinbrook Light Station / Cape Hinchinbrook Lighthouse (AHRS Site No. COR-095) ]. Robert M. Weaver . February 27, 2003 . National Park Service. and