CHATHAM LIGHTHOUSE TOUR SCHEDULE-2009

A history compiled and presented by Flotilla 11-1, Division 11, First Northern Region, U.S.C.G Auxiliary  "Keepers of the Light"

1808 - First set of lights constructed on the bluff called James' Head to act as a set of range lights for the shifting shoals of the Chatham Harbor Entrance.  Twin lights were mandated so that mariners would not confuse the new Chatham Light with the Highland Light in Truro.  Distinguishing one light from another was a problem in these early days of lighthouses before an easy way was found to make the lights in the tower flash in a distinctive pattern.

The lights were 43 feet high, octagonal shaped wooden towers placed 70 feet apart with a 22 foot diameter at the base.  Between the towers a 17' x 26' Keeper's house was built.  The lights were fixed in character using six oil lamps backed by an 8.5 inch reflector and with a green plano-convex lens.  Plano-convex just means that the lens is flat on the inside and curved outward on the front, like a flashlight lens.  The lights were set upon wooden skids five feet from the ground so that they could be moved to show a new direction of the channel entrance (which only happened once).

October 7, 1808 - Samuel Nye appointed as first Keeper of the Chatham Lights by President Thomas Jefferson.  Succeeding Keepers were Joseph Loveland and Samuel Stinson.

1838 - The lights are "decayed and much shaken; dangerous to ascend in windy weather."

1841 - Second set of 40-foot towers constructed; this time built of brick, to replace the old wooden structures.  Towers fitted with nine oil lamps each with 14" reflectors.  Lights painted white instead of white-washed.  New keeper of the lights was Collin Howes followed by Simeon Nickerson and then Nickerson's widow, Angeline.

1857 - 4th Order Fresnel lens replaces the reflectors in each tower; characteristics remained fixed.  These lenses were developed by the French Physicist, Augustine Fresnel, who devised a method of producing circularly polarized light and used his circular, prismatic lenses to replace the mirrors in many U.S. Lighthouses.  The cost of each prism is $250.

Nov 13, 1870 - Huge Nor'easter hits Chatham causing a break in the barrier beach (North Beach), and erosion begins a steady nine-year march to claim the 228 feet of land on the 50-foot high bluff in front of the lighthouse.

1872 - Josiah Hardy II becomes Keeper and remains for 28 years.  His excellent written notes and record keeping prove to be invaluable to historians.

1874 - Now only 190 feet from the cliff edge, and the land is washing away in front of the lighthouse at an average rate of 31 feet per year.

April 25, 1877 - Decision made to build a new set of lighthouses and keeper's dwelling on the west side of the road.  The towers are built of a brick-lined, cast iron shell, 100 feet apart and 42 feet high.

September 6, 1877 - The lenses from the old towers were moved to the new ones, and the lamp oil lights (burning lard oil) were lit for the first time.

July 7, 1878 - The government provides new fixtures, and kerosene is burned for the first time.

December 13, 1879 at 1:00 pm - The old south tower topples over the bank (9 years and one month since the harbor break-through).

March 26, 1881 - the old north tower and the keeper's house fall into the sea.

1923 - South Tower equipped with a clockwork drive rotating four new Fresnel lenses of 20,000 candle power; burning oil vapor and flashing 4 times every thirty seconds.  The clockwork is run by heavy weights which have to be wound upward from the bottom of the tower every morning.

May 15, 1923 - North tower moves to Nauset (Eastham) to replace3 lighthouses called "The Three Sisters".  The top is painted with a red stripe to distinguish it from Chatham Light.  The sea almost claimed Nauset light, and in 1996 it, too, was moved back to safety.  The concrete base of the north tower can still be seen next to the keeper's quarters.

Photograph of Chatham Light in 1937. Photo courtesy of Barbara Hill.

July 7, 1939 - The U.S. Coast Guard assumes the duties of the Bureau of Lighthouses; (The Lighthouse Service originally had been created in 1789 by the 9th Act of the first Congress).  An electric motor replaces the clockwork drive.  Lamp intensity increased to 1,000 watts which illuminates 800,000 candle power.

1969 - Major changes at Chatham Light.  High intensity electric searchlights installed along with a completely new housing.  The old light is now displayed at Atwood House, the Chatham Historical Society Museum on Stage Harbor Road.

January 2, 1987 - Just as in 1870, during a Nor'easter the ocean breaks through the barrier beach opposite the lighthouse.  The town beach, which the lighthouse towered over, washes away.  The "Break" grows to more than a mile; again exposing the bank in front of Chatham Light to another cycle of serious erosion.

August 1994 - New searchlights ("aero-beacons") are installed.  They are more efficient; using two 1,000 watt bulbs instead of four.

1994 - Flotilla 11-1 of the USCG Auxiliary "adopts" Chatham Light and assumes responsibility of conducting tours on "open light" occasions throughout the year, as well as light maintenance and polishing of the lamps.

Today - The South Tower known as Chatham Light flashes it's special characteristics of two flashes every 10 seconds and rises 80' above the sea.  It can be seen from 24 nautical miles away (a distance of 27.6 land miles).  It flashes 2.8 Million candlepower and is Light List # 505.

Twice Since 1808 the Atlantic has swallowed portions of the cliff on which they stand - the present Chatham Light has survived for over 125 years!  The lighthouse is not now in any danger; largely due to the wise planning back in 1877 to build it and the keeper's dwelling on the west side of the road.  During the "no-name" Nor'easter on October 31, 1991 a large portion of the overlook and parking lot washed away.  A year later the overlook was completely restored and remains a popular spot for both tourists and local residents.

The U.S. Coast Guard continues its Watch in its all-important mission to protect mariners; whether they go "across the bar" on a fishing trawler or a pleasure boat, from the treacherous seas and storms that make the waters around Chatham some of the most dangerous in the entire country.  CHATHAM LIGHT stands resolutely as a visible beacon to all those at sea who search for her familiar signal and sail into safe harbor.

Here are some outstanding websites that preserve Chatham Lights history;

New England Lighthouse's Virtual Display

My Chatham Website

National Park Service Chatham Page

Rudy and Alice's Lighthouse Page