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Long Island Head Lighthouse

Fl W 2.5s🇺🇸Northern Massachusetts, USInactive

The current brick tower at Long Island Head stands 16 meters tall and was built in 1819. Its focal plane reaches 36.5 meters above sea level. This structure is the fourth lighthouse to be established on the island, with the first dating back to 1819. The light emitted a white signal. Although operational status is now false, the lighthouse served the Boston Harbor area for many years.

Why it matters: This site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Background
Long Island Head Light is an historic lighthouse on Long Island in Boston Harbor, Boston, Massachusetts. The current brick tower is the fourth lighthouse on the island. The light was first established in 1819, largely as a result of a study conducted by the Boston Marine Society, which had built the daybeacon on Nixes Mate 14 years earlier. It was a 20-foot (6.1 m) stone tower known as "Inner Harbor Light". It was the second of the four Boston lights—103 years after Boston Light, but ten years before the first daybeacon at the site of Deer Island Light, and before The Graves Light, built in 1905. In 1853, it was reported in the New England Farmer, that Captain Charles A. Beck, was keeper of the Light for twenty-eight years. The stone tower fell into disrepair and was replaced by one of the earliest cast iron lighthouse structures, thirty-four feet tall (pictured below). In 1857, a fourth order Fresnel lens replaced the lamps and reflectors which had been in place. During the next twenty years it sustained damage in a number of storms. In 1881, it was replaced again, by a conical cast iron structure and a new wood keeper's house. Fort Strong was significantly enlarged around the start of the 20th century and it was necessary to move the lighthouse to a location out of the way of the concussion from the guns, so the current brick tower was constructed in 1900-01. Remnants of the fort can be seen to the southeast of the light in the satellite views available by clicking on the
Characteristic Signature
Fl W 2.5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
2.5s
Focal Height
36.5m
Year Built
1819
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place
Tower Height
16m
City
Northern Massachusetts
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
42.3302°
Longitude
-70.9577°
Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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How do mariners identify Long Island Head Lighthouse at night?+
Long Island Head displays the characteristic Fl W 2.5s — 1 white flash every 2.5 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.
Which ports and harbors does Long Island Head Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Long Island Head Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is WINTHROP at 2.3 NM to the NNW. Other ports served include SOUTH BOSTON (3.1 NM W), Dorchester (4.4 NM WSW), Boston (4.6 NM NW), NORTH WEYMOUTH (5.1 NM SSE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Long Island Head Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Long Island Head 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.
How can I track vessels near Long Island Head Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Long Island Head 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.