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New London Harbor Lighthouse

Iso WR 6s🇺🇸Connecticut, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About New London Harbor Lighthouse

New London Harbor Light stands on the west side of the New London harbor entrance in Connecticut. Constructed in 1760, it was first lit in the same year. The lighthouse's tower reaches a height of 27 meters, with its light positioned 27.5 meters above sea level. It emits a white light for three seconds, followed by three seconds of darkness, on a 6-second cycle. The light is visible for 15 miles.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is the nation's fifth oldest light station and the seventh oldest U.S. lighthouse. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.

Background
New London Harbor Light is a lighthouse in Connecticut on the west side of the New London harbor entrance. It is the nation's fifth oldest light station and the seventh oldest U.S. lighthouse. It is both the oldest and the tallest lighthouse in Connecticut and on Long Island Sound, with its tower reaching 90 feet. The light is visible for 15 miles and consists of three seconds of white light every six seconds. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. It is currently owned and maintained by the New London Maritime Society as part of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act program.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Iso WR 6s
Flash Type
Isophase
Light Color
WR
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
6s
Focal Height
27.5m

Construction & History

Year Built
1760
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q7009889 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
27m

Location

City
Connecticut
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
41.3165°
Longitude
-72.0897°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify New London Harbor Lighthouse at night?+
New London Harbor displays the characteristic Iso 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 New London Harbor Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
New London Harbor Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is New London-Groton Apt at 2 NM to the N. Other ports served include New London (2.2 NM N), NIANTIC BAY (3.9 NM W), NIANTIC (4.4 NM W), NOANK SHIPYARD (4.6 NM E). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is New London Harbor Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, New London Harbor 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 New London Harbor Lighthouse?+
New London Harbor 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 New London Harbor Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near New London Harbor 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.