Chatham Harbor Lighthouse

Chatham Lighthouse, Cape Cod, MA

The Chatham Lighthouse is just outside of Chatham in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

The lighthouse was first built in 1808, comprising a pair of octagonal wooden towers approximately 12 meters (40 feet) high. This served a dual purpose; to distinguish the light from the Highland, and to act as "range lights" to mark the safe channel.

By 1841, the towers were replaced with brick structures, and fourth order Fresnel lenses were installed in 1857, fuelled by lard oil. The towers were replaced again in 1879 with brick and iron structures using the lenses from the previous towers. The lights became kerosene fueled by 1882.

In 1923 a clockwork rotating mechanism was installed, so there was no longer a need for two towers to differentiate Chatham from the Highland. The Northern tower was moved north, and became the Nauset Beach Light. In 1939, the kerosene lamp was replaced with an electric lamp, and in 1969 a new powerful rotating light was installed with a new lantern.

The lighthouse was automated in 1982, and now operates 24 hours a day. Finally, in 1993 DCB-224 aerobeacons were installed. These were high-power spotlights designed and built by Carlisle & Finch, though they are no longer made. The original fourth order Fresnel lens and lantern are on display at the Atwood House Museum in Chatham, MA.

US Coast Guard Steel 44-foot Motor Lifeboat CG44301. The next picture displays the vessel's specifications.

US Coast Guard Steel 44-foot Motor Lifeboat CG44301.

US Coast Guard Steel 44-foot Motor Lifeboat CG44301.

Two views of the tower taken several years apart; older to the left. There seems to have been a little touching-up to the paint.

The current optic in the Chatham Lighthouse is a DCB-224. Before this, a fourth order Fresnel lens was the original optic in the lighthouse, installed in 1857. The next photograph shows the current DCB-224 optics.

The pair of DCB-224 optics used in the lighthouse. The lights, two flashes every 10 seconds, are so bright they can be seen for 24 nautical miles.
Image Copyright: http://www.newenglandlighthouses.net/chatham-lighthouse.html

The first of two similar views; this one taken on a clear day.

The second of two similar pictures, this one taken in fog. You can just see the light flashing in this picture.

This image shows the two 1841 brick towers that replaced the original wooden towers.

The staircase that winds its way up the inside of the lighthouse.

The right hand image is the Mack Memorial situated on the grounds of the lighthouse.

The next picture shows a close up detail of the dedication plaque on the Mack Memorial.

The beach just across the road from the lighthouse.

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