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Bloody Point Bar Light

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Year first lit
  
1882

Construction
  
Opened
  
1882

Material
  
Iron

Foundation
  
Height
  
16 m

Automated
  
1961

Bloody Point Bar Light wwwlighthousefriendscombloodypoint1885jpg

Location
  
West of the southern end of Kent Island, Maryland

Tower shape
  
"spark plug" round tower

Original lens
  
fourth order Fresnel lens

Similar
  
Craighill Channel Lower Ra, Solomons Lump Light, Sandy Point Shoal Light, Sharps Island Light, Fishing Battery Light

Bloody point bar light


Bloody Point Bar Light is an early sparkplug lighthouse in the Chesapeake Bay near Kent Island, Maryland.

Contents

History

Bloody Point Bar Light Bloody Point Bar Lighthouse Maryland at Lighthousefriendscom

Although a light at this location was first requested in 1865, funds were not appropriated until 1881. Based on experience with ice damage to screw-pile structures, a caisson design was chosen similar to that at Sharps Island Light, which was under construction at the time. Ironically, the newly completed light began to list its first winter due to scouring from storms. Riprap was laid immediately to halt further damage, and in 1884-85 a program of dredging and additional stone was successful in bringing the light to with a few degrees of vertical. In the same period a room was added to the side to house a fogbell and its ringing mechanism.

Bloody Point Bar Light Bloody Point Bar Lighthouse Maryland at Lighthousefriendscom

In 1960 the interior of the light was destroyed by a fire that started from an electrical short in the equipment room and spread throughout the light. The two coastguardsmen stationed at the light were unsuccessful in fighting the fire and eventually had to abandon their post, narrowly escaping when their dinghy was caught at the end of its lines on the davits. Fortunately a large wave lifted them free in time to avoid being caught in the explosion of the light's fuel tanks. The interior of the light, including the lens, was a total loss, and it was completely gutted and automated with a new acrylic lens the following year.

Bloody Point Bar Light Bloody Point Bar Light Wikipedia

In 2006 the light, like many others on the bay, was offered at auction, and it was purchased by Michael Gabriel, a Nevada-based lawyer who has announced plans to renovate the interior.

Bloody Point Bar Light Chesapeake Chapter US Lighthouse Society Our Lighthouse Heritage

Bloody Point Bar Light Lighting the Way Bay Weekly

Bloody Point Bar Light Fishing Poplar Island The Natural History Log

References

Bloody Point Bar Light Wikipedia


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