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Gloucester Lighthouses Lighthouse

Fl White 5s🇺🇸Boston, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Gloucester Lighthouses Lighthouse

This round, brick lighthouse stands 11 meters tall on the eastern side of the entrance to Gloucester Harbor. Built in 1890, the white-painted tower features a lantern and gallery, with the lantern housing painted black and topped with a red roof. The light emits a white flash every 5 seconds, with its focal plane at 17.5 meters, providing a geographic range of 12.5 nautical miles. The station was established earlier, in 1832, and subsequent structures include a keeper's house from 1879 and an oil house built in 1894. A fog bell was in use from 1933 to 1969. The tower underwent renovation in 1993.

Why it matters: The lighthouse guides fishing vessels and maritime traffic into Gloucester Harbor, a significant port for Massachusetts's fishing fleets and historically important for coastal navigation.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
5s
Raw Code
Fl W 5s
Focal Height
17.5m
Geographic Range
12.5NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1890

Significant events: Station established 1832, Keeper's house built 1879, Tower built 1890, Oil house built 1894, Assistant keeper's house built 1908, Fog bell used 1933-1969, Tower renovated 1993, Original 4th order Fresnel lens moved to Cape Ann Museum

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Winthrop(4.6 km)
ARLHS No.
USA-263

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
11m
Tower Shape
round
Tower Color
white
Material
brick

Structure: An 11m (36 ft) round brick tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. The lantern is black with a red roof.

Location

City
Boston
Country
🇺🇸United States
Region
Massachusetts
Sea Region
Located at the end of Eastern Point Boulevard in Gloucester, on the east side of the entrance to Gloucester Harbor. Gloucester is the principal base for the state's fishing fleets and occupies most of the Cape Ann peninsula.
Latitude
42.3651°
Longitude
-70.8692°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Gloucester Lighthouses Lighthouse at night?+
Gloucester Lighthouses displays the characteristic Fl White 5s. Each lighthouse has a unique flash pattern published in the List of Lights, allowing mariners to positively identify it and distinguish it from other navigation aids in the area. The white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Gloucester Lighthouses Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Gloucester Lighthouses Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is WINTHROP at 4.6 NM to the W. Other ports served include Lynn (6.3 NM NNW), SOUTH BOSTON (7.3 NM WSW), NORTH WEYMOUTH (7.6 NM SSW), Boston (7.7 NM W). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Gloucester Lighthouses Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Gloucester Lighthouses 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.
How can I track vessels near Gloucester Lighthouses Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Gloucester Lighthouses 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.