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Craney Island Lighthouse

🇺🇸Portsmouth, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Craney Island Lighthouse

Built in 1855, the Craney Island Lighthouse was a screwpile structure situated on the west side of the entrance to the Elizabeth River in Hampton Roads. This lighthouse served mariners for over 80 years, guiding vessels toward the port of Norfolk, located 2.8 kilometers away. Its operational period concluded in 1936. Decades of dredging and land reclamation have dramatically altered its surroundings, leaving the original site on dry land amidst dredged spoil. The structure itself is no longer present.

Why it matters: The lighthouse marked the western approach to the Elizabeth River, a key waterway for commercial and naval traffic.

Background
The Craney Island Light was a screwpile lighthouse located just east of Craney Island at the mouth of the Elizabeth River in Virginia. This light replaced the first permanently stationed lightship in the United States.

Tower & Structure

Structure: A screwpile lighthouse structure, typically featuring a dwelling built atop iron piles.

Location

City
Portsmouth
Country
🇺🇸United States
Region
Virginia
Sea Region
Hampton Roads, west side of the entrance to the Elizabeth River, Portsmouth City
Latitude
36.8920°
Longitude
-76.3370°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Construction & History

Year Built
1855

Significant events: Operational 1855-1936, original site now on land due to dredged spoil

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Norfolk(2.8 km)
ARLHS No.
USA-202
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q5182083 →
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which ports and harbors does Craney Island Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Craney Island Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Norfolk at 0.6 NM to the WNW. Other ports served include Hampton Roads Pt (4.5 NM N), Hampton Roads (4.5 NM N), Newport News (7 NM NW), HAMPTON (7.6 NM N). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Craney Island Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Craney Island Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
What shipping routes pass near Craney Island Lighthouse?+
Craney Island Lighthouse is located within the US East Coast shipping lane — a major shipping corridor serving ports along the Atlantic seaboard of the United States. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Craney Island Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Craney Island Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.