Beacon Light (lighthouse)

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Coordinates: 45°15′01″N 66°03′12″W / 45.250221°N 66.053437°W / 45.250221; -66.053437
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Beacon Light
Map
LocationSaint John Harbour, Saint John, New Brunswick
Coordinates45°15′01″N 66°03′12″W / 45.250221°N 66.053437°W / 45.250221; -66.053437
Constructed1828
Light
Deactivated1913

The Beacon Light was a lighthouse in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. It was located in the Saint John Harbour's entrance and sat atop a wooden pier in the harbour. It was first erected in 1828 and rebuilt in 1868 after being destroyed by fire the year prior. It was discontinued in 1913 and burned.

History[edit]

The Beacon Light was first erected in 1828, located in the Saint John Harbour in Saint John, New Brunswick.[1] It sat atop a wooden pier in the harbour and was the second lighthouse in New Brunswick at the time,[2] with a construction cost of £672 3s 3d.[3][4] One of the earliest keepers, William Gold, was appointed in April 1830 and served until his death in April the following year.[5][6] On the morning of January 7, 1867,[7][8][9] the lighthouse was destroyed by fire while the keeper was absent, leaving the harbour completely reliant on Partridge Island's lighthouse.[1] The keeper's two sons, who were present during the fire, managed to save four reflectors before escaping.[2] The Colonial Government took notice of the Beacon Light's temporary discontinuation due to the fire.[10][11]

Beacon Light, Saint John Harbour (Henry Sandham, 1879)

Second lighthouse[edit]

In 1868, John McLachlan rebuilt the lighthouse and pier at a cost of $2,300. During October 4–5 the following year, a tropical cyclone dubbed the "Saxby Gale" produced large waves throughout the Bay of Fundy region. The Beacon Light received extensive damage, including the tearing off of shingles, boards, and part of the pier, resulting in repair costs totalling $898. Over the next few years, the station underwent multiple installations, including a large fog bell for the lighthouse in 1871, a bell tower on the pier in 1875, and additional machinery.[2] Maintenance repairs were frequently needed for the pier due to being in the open harbour waters.[12]

In 1913, the Beacon Light was discontinued,[2] when on August 20, 1913, it was set to be removed as part of a plan to widen the entrance of the harbour. The lighthouse was set to be drenched with oil and set ablaze "on the first night when the wind blows seaward."[13] It was replaced by a combined gas and whistling buoy.[14]

List of keepers[edit]

Name Year Reference Service Notes
William Good 1830–1831 [5][6] Appointed in April 1831.[5] Served as lighthouse keeper until his death in April 1831.[6]
George Lane 1833–at least 1844 [12][15]
James Lane 1854–1866 [12]
Joseph Coram Unknown–1869 [12]
James E. Earle 1869 [12]
Elijah Rose 1869–1873 [12]
Timothy Clark 1873–1893 [12]
George H. Clark 1893–1901 [12]
William McLaren 1901–1902 [12]
Wilson Gregg 1903–1909 [12][16] Served as lighthouse keeper until his death in November 1909.
Andrew F. Shepherd 1909–1912 [12]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "DESTRUCTION OF THE BEACON LIGHT IN ST. JOHN HARBOR". St. John Globe. Morning Chronicle. 11 January 1867. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d Anderson, Kraig; Loughery, Kelly Anne (2012). Lighthouses of New Brunswick: past and present. Halifax, Nova Scotia: Nimbus Publishing. p. 52. ISBN 9781551099156. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  3. ^ "The Weekly Observer". 23 February 1830. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  4. ^ "Acts of the General Assembly of His Majesty's Province of New-Brunswick passed in the year 1830" (PDF). University of New Brunswick. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "CIVIL APPOINTMENTS". The New Brunswick Courier. 10 April 1830. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  6. ^ a b c "DIED". The Courier. 16 April 1831. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  7. ^ "Lighthouse Burned". Bangor Daily Whig and Courier. 8 January 1867. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  8. ^ "DESTRUCTION OF THE BEACON LIGHT IN ST. JOHN HARBOR". St. John Globe. Morning Chronicle. 11 January 1867. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  9. ^ "NOTICE TO MARINERS". The Providence Evening Press. 8 January 1867. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  10. ^ "Important to Mariners". The Philadelphia Inquirer. 26 February 1867. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  11. ^ "MARINE LIGHTS". The New York Times. 26 February 1867. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Saint John Harbour Beacon Lighthouse". LighthouseFriends. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  13. ^ "FAMOUS LANDMARK TO BE DEMOLISHED". The Daily Gleaner. 20 August 1913. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  14. ^ "Notice to Mariners". The Evening Mail. 21 November 1913. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  15. ^ "NB.1844.ch 45.pdf" (PDF). bnald.lib.unb.ca. University of New Brunswick. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  16. ^ "WILSON GREGG KEEPER OF BEACON LIGHT IS DEAD". The Evening Times. No. 23 November 1909. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
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