Port Austin Light Explained

Location:Port Austin Reef, north of Port Austin, Michigan (Port aux Barques Township)
Coordinates:44.0833°N -141°W
Yearlit:1878
Automated:1953
Foundation:Brick, cement, crushed stone
Construction:Brick
Height:[1]
Focalheight:[2] [3]
Lens:Fourth order Fresnel lens (original), 300mm Tideland Signal ML-300 acrylic[4] (current)
Range: Other sources claim 16.5miles
Marking:Buff square tower with attached house w/red roof.
Characteristic:White, every 6 seconds.
Module:
Embed:yes
Port Austin Reef Light
Added:September 15, 2011
Mpsub:Light Stations of the United States MPS
Refnum:11000666[5]

Port Austin Lighthouse (or Port Austin Reef Light) is a lighthouse off the shore of Lake Huron, about north of Port Austin, Huron County Michigan sitting on a rocky reef (shoal), which is just north of the tip of the Thumb and a real hazard to navigation.

History

The original plans were for this lighthouse to be built on shore. The crib was built in Tawas.[6] The light was first lit in 1878, and its pier was modified in 1899. It is still operational and is automated. The foundation materials are a pier, and the tower is constructed of yellow brick, with buff markings. It is an octagonal, 60feet tall tower, with an attached keeper house. However, the focal plain is . It originally had a fourth-order Fresnel lens by Henry Lepaute of Paris and installed in 1899. The optic was 300mm glass. In 1985 the lens was replaced by a 12-volt solar-powered Tideland Signal 300 mm acrylic optic,[7] which eliminated the need to maintain the submarine cable.[2] [8]

Current status and activities

In 1990, volunteers from the Port Austin Reef Light Association engaged in an "heroic effort" to oust a colony of seagulls that had taken over the building, and then screened and reroofed it. Restoration efforts continue.[9] Decking has been covered with galvanized metal shingles, and painted in the bright red that is historically accurate. Railings were affixed to the access ladder, and safety chains edging the deck were replaced. Installed also were a new brick chimney and 18 new windows. In 1990, PARLA's license to renovate the structure was extended through 2020.[2]

Current restoration continues by the Port Austin Reef Light Association.[10]

The light is not open for tours. It is a long and difficult trip to the light, which is always hindered by the reef, and often by the fog.[11] However, it is possible to photograph the lighthouse from shore, although it takes a long lens or digital zoom.[12]

The light was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in September 2011.[5] The site includes adjacent bottom lands.[13] A two-story on shore lighthouse keeper's house still exists.[14]

In June 2011, the General Services Administration made the Port Austin Light (along with 11 others) available at no cost to public organizations willing to preserve them.[15] [16]

On July 19, 2012 it was announced that the Port Austin Reef Lighthouse Association, a Michigan non-profit organization, will take ownership of the Port Austin Light Station on Lake Huron.

See also

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Database of Tower Heights . Pepper, Terry . Seeing the Light . terrypepper.com . 2009-10-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20000918211817/http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/lists/towers.htm . 2000-09-18 . dead .
  2. http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/huron/portaustin/portaustin.htm Extensive history of the Port Austin Lighthouse
  3. But see, based on the 1910 Coast Guard light list, a claim that the Focal plane as 80feet. Web site: Database of Focal Heights . Pepper, Terry . Seeing the Light . terrypepper.com . 2009-10-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080830100452/http://www.terrypepper.com/Lights/lists/focalheight.htm . 2008-08-30 . dead .
  4. But see, Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy, Port Austin Reef Light. which claims a 200mm glass optic.
  5. Web site: Weekly list of actions taken on properties: 9/12/11 through 9/16/11 . September 23, 2011 . . September 27, 2011.
  6. http://www.lighthousecentral.com/lighthouse_gallery.php4?lighthouse=Port%20Austin%20Reef%20Light Lighthouse Central, Port Austin Lighthouse Photographs, History and Directions, The Ultimate Guide to East Michigan Lighthouses by Jerry Roach
  7. http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/closeups/illumination/acrylic/300mm/300mm.htm Tideland 300 mm optic, Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light.
  8. Web site: Lighthouse depot on Port Austin Light. . 2008-02-23 . 2005-01-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20050116151736/http://www.lighthousedepot.com/database/uniquelighthouse.cfm?value=522 . dead .
  9. http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080520/SPECIAL01/80519001 Detroit News, Interactive map on Michigan lighthouses.
  10. Web site: Port Austin Reef Light Association. . 2008-02-23 . 2011-07-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110715104815/http://www.portaustinarea.com/directory/view.php?id=97&page=0&cat=9&subcat=0&subsubcat=0 . dead .
  11. http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=172 Description Port Austin Light
  12. http://www.lighthousesrus.org/HuronW.htm Interactive map, list, information for lighthouses in North and West Lake Huron.
  13. http://www.michiganlighthouse.org/Lighthouses/lighthouse_detail.php78.htm Michigan Lighthouse project, Port Austin Reef Light.
  14. http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/huron/portaustin/pt-austin05.htm Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light, Photography of Port Austin Lightkeeper's house.
  15. News: For sale: Waterfront property; cozy, great views, plenty of light, needs TLC. 12 July 2011. CNN. 15 July 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110715183812/http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/12/for-sale-waterfront-property-cozy-great-views-plenty-of-light-needs-tlc/?hpt=hp_t2. dead.
  16. Web site: Beatty. MaryAnne. GSA Making 12 Historic Lighthouses Available at No Cost to Public Organizations Willing to Preserve Them. GSA Website. US General Services Administration. 12 July 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110622054934/http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/286133. 22 June 2011. dead.

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