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Great Captain Island Lighthouse

Fl WR 6s🇺🇸Connecticut, USInactive

Construction of the Great Captain Island Lighthouse was completed in 1829. The original stone tower required repairs within a decade due to poor construction. A granite dwelling with an attached lantern replaced the original structure in 1868. The lighthouse features white and red horizontal bands and stands 30 meters tall, with a focal height of 15.5 meters. Its geographic range is 14 nautical miles. The light displayed alternating white and red beams. A fog whistle was installed in 1890, followed by a siren in 1905. The lighthouse ceased active operation in 1970.

Why it matters: This lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, recognizing its historical significance.

Background
Great Captain Island Lighthouse is a lighthouse on Great Captain Island in the western Long Island Sound off the coast of Greenwich, Connecticut, United States. Built in 1829, the first lighthouse, made of stone, was of such poor construction that the walls were severely cracked a decade later. In 1868, a new granite dwelling with attached lantern was completed. The lighthouse is of the same design as lighthouses at Sheffield Island in Norwalk; Morgan Point in Noank; Old Field Point Light and Plum Island in New York; and Block Island North in Rhode Island. In 1890, a fog whistle was added, in 1905 a siren was installed. The lighthouse was deactivated in 1970 when a skeletal tower replaced it. The Town of Greenwich acquired the property in 1973 and had full-time caretakers on the site until the lighthouse became too dilapidated in 2003. A successful restoration effort was completed in 2009 and a non-navigational light was activated in 2012. In 2010, a memorial plaque was installed to "honor the 23 people who lived in Greenwich, or had a connection to the town", who died in the September 11, 2001 attacks. In 1991, the Great Captain Island Light was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Characteristic Signature
Fl WR 6s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
WR
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
6s
Raw Code
Al
Focal Height
15.5m
Geographic Range
14NM
Year Built
1829
Tower Height
30m
Tower Color
white;red
City
Connecticut
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
40.9825°
Longitude
-73.6235°
Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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How do mariners identify Great Captain Island Lighthouse at night?+
Great Captain Island displays the characteristic Fl WR 6s — 1 wr flash every 6 seconds. 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 wr color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Great Captain Island Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Great Captain Island Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Greenwich at 1.8 NM to the NNE. Other ports served include Port Chester (1.9 NM WNW), GREENWICH (2 NM N), OLD GREENWICH (2.4 NM NE), Rye (2.9 NM WSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Great Captain Island Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Great Captain Island Lighthouse is currently listed as inactive. It may have been decommissioned, replaced by a different navigation aid, or temporarily taken out of service. Mariners should check the latest Notices to Mariners for current status.
What shipping routes pass near Great Captain Island Lighthouse?+
Great Captain 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 Great Captain Island Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Great Captain 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.