Baltimore Light Station
Encyclopedia
The Baltimore Harbor Light (historic names include Baltimore Harbor Lighthouse and Baltimore Light) is a privately-owned caisson lighthouse
in the Chesapeake Bay
in Maryland
. First lit in 1908, it sits at the mouth of the Magothy River
, marking the channel which leads northwest to the opening of the Patapsco River
, which then leads into the Baltimore harbor
. At the time of its construction, it was the world's tallest caisson lighthouse. In June 2006, Baltimore Light was sold at auction to private owners by the General Services Administration
for $260,000; the U.S. Coast Guard maintains rights to operate a light on the structure.
Although a lighthouse had been requested at the site since 1890, it was not until 1904 that construction actually began. In October of that year a violent storm struck the construction site, upturning the caisson
and sending it to the bottom of the Bay. The contractor
defaulted on the work, and it was not until late in 1905 that construction could resume. The lens was finally installed and the light lit in 1908. It was among the last lighthouses to be constructed on the Chesapeake.
In 1964, the Baltimore Light became the first and only American lighthouse powered by nuclear energy
. Two years later the reactor was removed and a conventional electric generator was installed. Currently the lighthouse is solar-powered.
Caisson lighthouse
A caisson lighthouse is a lighthouse whose superstructure rests on a concrete or metal caisson.Caisson lighthouses were developed in the late nineteenth century as a cheaper, more efficient alternative to screwpile lighthouses; they could better withstand harsh weather, and were not as fragile...
in the Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It lies off the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Maryland and Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay's drainage basin covers in the District of Columbia and parts of six states: New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West...
in Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. First lit in 1908, it sits at the mouth of the Magothy River
Magothy River
The Magothy River runs through Anne Arundel County in the U.S. state of Maryland. It is located south of the Patapsco River and north of the Severn River...
, marking the channel which leads northwest to the opening of the Patapsco River
Patapsco River
The Patapsco River is a river in central Maryland which flows into Chesapeake Bay. The river's tidal portion forms the harbor for the city of Baltimore...
, which then leads into the Baltimore harbor
Inner Harbor
The Inner Harbor is a historic seaport, tourist attraction, and iconic landmark of the City of Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Described by the Urban Land Institute in 2009 as “the model for post-industrial waterfront redevelopment around the World.” The Inner Harbor is actually the end of the...
. At the time of its construction, it was the world's tallest caisson lighthouse. In June 2006, Baltimore Light was sold at auction to private owners by the General Services Administration
General Services Administration
The General Services Administration is an independent agency of the United States government, established in 1949 to help manage and support the basic functioning of federal agencies. The GSA supplies products and communications for U.S...
for $260,000; the U.S. Coast Guard maintains rights to operate a light on the structure.
Although a lighthouse had been requested at the site since 1890, it was not until 1904 that construction actually began. In October of that year a violent storm struck the construction site, upturning the caisson
Caisson (engineering)
In geotechnical engineering, a caisson is a retaining, watertight structure used, for example, to work on the foundations of a bridge pier, for the construction of a concrete dam, or for the repair of ships. These are constructed such that the water can be pumped out, keeping the working...
and sending it to the bottom of the Bay. The contractor
General contractor
A general contractor is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of a construction site, management of vendors and trades, and communication of information to involved parties throughout the course of a building project.-Description:...
defaulted on the work, and it was not until late in 1905 that construction could resume. The lens was finally installed and the light lit in 1908. It was among the last lighthouses to be constructed on the Chesapeake.
In 1964, the Baltimore Light became the first and only American lighthouse powered by nuclear energy
Nuclear power
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 6% of the world's energy and 13–14% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan together accounting for about 50% of nuclear generated electricity...
. Two years later the reactor was removed and a conventional electric generator was installed. Currently the lighthouse is solar-powered.
External links
- Baltimore Harbor Light. New owners as of 2006.
- Chesapeake Bay Lighthouse Project - Baltimore Light