Get the MarineRadar appSatellite AISSatellite live trackingTrack any shipLive alerts112,000+ ships trackedDownload free

Mathews County Lighthouses Lighthouse

Fl Green 4s🇺🇸USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Mathews County Lighthouses Lighthouse

This square tower, built of brick and iron, stands in Mathews County, Virginia. The current structure dates to 1894, replacing an earlier screwpile lighthouse destroyed by ice in 1892. It features a two-and-a-half-story keeper's house mounted on an iron caisson, with a short square tower and lantern above. The entire structure is painted fire-engine red with a black lantern. It emits a green flash every 4 seconds and is located approximately 10.5 km from Cape Charles. The lighthouse became inactive in 2017 and was added to the Doomsday List.

Why it matters: The lighthouse marks a dangerous area in the bay and its replacement after ice destruction highlights regional environmental challenges.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl Green 4s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Green
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Fl G 4s

Construction & History

Year Built
1894
First Lit
1870
Heritage Status
Endangered, on Doomsday List, offered for transfer under NHLPA

Significant events: Station established 1870, original screwpile lighthouse destroyed by ice in 1892, current structure built 1894, offered for transfer under NHLPA 2003-04, sold to Nick Korstad 2005, sold to James H. Southard, Jr. 2007, roof replaced 2007, listed for sale 2012-2017, Coast Guard condemned and abandoned light 2017, became inactive 2017, added to Doomsday List 2017, sold to Richard Cucé 2023, restoration plans announced 2023

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Cape Charles(10.5 km)
Admiralty No.
J1618
USCG No.
2-7255
ARLHS No.
USA-903

Tower & Structure

Tower Shape
square
Tower Color
fire-engine red with black lantern
Material
brick, iron

Structure: A 2-1/2 story octagonal red brick keeper's house, mounted on an iron caisson, is surmounted by a short square tower with lantern and gallery. The entire structure is painted fire-engine red, with a black lantern.

Location

Country
🇺🇸United States
Region
Virginia
Sea Region
Located in Mathews County, marking a dangerous area.
Latitude
37.3917°
Longitude
-76.1792°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find Mathews County Lighthouses Lighthouse on the live nautical map

Plan voyages near United States, see nearby vessels in real time, and explore 14,900+ navigation aids in the app.

Nautical mapNearby vesselsVoyage planning
Get the App

Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Mathews County Lighthouses Lighthouse at night?+
Mathews County Lighthouses displays the characteristic Fl Green 4s. 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 green color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Mathews County Lighthouses Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Mathews County Lighthouses Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is New Point at 5.6 NM to the WSW. Other ports served include MATHEWS (7.6 NM NW), KINGS CREEK (10.4 NM SE), MOBJACK BAY (10.8 NM WNW), Cape Charles (11 NM SE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Mathews County Lighthouses Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Mathews County 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.
What shipping routes pass near Mathews County Lighthouses Lighthouse?+
Mathews County Lighthouses 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 Mathews County Lighthouses Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Mathews County 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.