Coastal Beauty: March 2011

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Long Beach Sunsets

All photos are available for purchase. Contact: Deidre22@optonline.net

www.wix.com/SheaProductions/Deidre

Montauk Point Lighthouse "The End"

            For generations of immigrants, the Montauk Point Lighthouse was
         their first sight of America, and became as much a symbol of their new
                                        home as the Statue of Liberty

Montauk Point was considered such an important and dangerous piece of land

that reportedly President George Washington in 1792 personally ordered construction of a lighthouse there. The U.S. government was following a long line oftradition – according to legend, the Montauket tribe lit signal fires on the point to summon chiefs and warriors to council, usually in dugout canoes made from the trunks of large trees. During the Revolutionary War, British warships blockaded Long Island Sound by laying off Montauk Point, and the British kept large fires burning on the hill to act as a beacon.

All information above provided by : http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=391

The light flashes every 5 seconds and can be seen a distance of 19 nautical miles

First lighthouse in New York State

Fourth oldest active lighthouse in the United States

The height of the tower is 110' 6".

There are 137 iron steps to the top of the tower

Montauk Point and its sturdy old tower are the source of much history and the

scene of many marine disasters. The Indian name for Turtle Hill, upon which the lighthouse stands is "Womponamon," an Algonquan word meaning "to the east" The proud Montauk tribe gave their name to the region and ruled the surrounding tribes. Their sachems called councils by lighting fires on Womponamon, and many of the tribesmen came to them in dugout canoes large enough to hold 18 paddles.

Info above provided by: http://longislandgenealogy.com/lighthouse.html

Over the past 200 years approximately 200' feet of Montauk Point was washed into the Atlantic Ocean. Today the lighthouse stands less than 100 feet from the edge of the bluff.

Fore more informtaion on erosion please visit: http://www.montauklighthouse.com/erosion.htm
http://www.montauklighthouse.com/donohue.htm
http://www.hamptons.com/News/Main-Articles/8156/Residents-Revive-Heated-Debate-On-Best-Way-To.html

Montauk Point State Park is a perfect place to spend the day. Visit the lighthouse, picnic, hiking trails, nature trails and more. Plenty to do and the view is stunning!

Montauk is my favorite place on earth! It is peaceful and beautiful. Thinking of a weekend away? Check out my favorite hotel. It will make a Montauk experience pure perfection.

http://www.montaukyachtclub.com/

And don't forget to have some delicious homemade Ice-Cream. Make sure to stop at:
John's Drive-In
695 Montauk Hwy, Montauk NY 11954
(631) 668-5515

Huntington Harbor Lighthouse

Huntington Bay. Long Island, NY 631 421 1985

In 1857, a lighthouse was built on the tip of Lloyd's Neck to assist ships in finding shelter in Lloyd Harbor from the wind and waves that often hinder navigation on the Long Island Sound. This first lighthouse, called the Lloyd Harbor Light, was of little help to ships entering the adjoining Huntington Harbor. In 1912, a new lighthouse was built to serve Huntington Harbor

The new structure was a unique lighthouse, in both design and construction. The Beaux Arts style makes the light look like a small castle. The reinforced concrete foundation and structure is unique to the area, as well. The foundation for the light was built nearby on land, then floated to the site and sunk.

Information above provided by: http://www.huntingtonlighthouse.org/

Lighthouse Music Fest

http://www.lighthousemusicfest.com/

Each Labor Day weekend, hundreds of boats gather to drop anchor or raft up with friends and listen to the Island's best talent rock from noon to sundown

For thousands of boaters, kayakers and fans on hand, it is the perfect end to summer. And I couldn't agree more. I brought my kayak and had a blast!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Horton Point Lighthouse

P.O. Box 1, Southold, NY 11971 / 631-765-5500

Commissioned in 1790 during George Washington’s Presidency but construction didn’t begin until 1855 when the eight acres needed for development were offered to the Federal Government. The project was completed in 1857.

The squared tower stands at 55’

Both the tower and quarters are made of New England Granite, cut stone and locally acquired wood timbers and lumber.

The tower offers a view of the Long Island Sound and nearby Connecticut.

The beautiful view can be enjoyed while walking through the park to the nearby beach or nature trail.

My favorite part was the 120 steps down to the beach. The park also offers a picnic area. Pack a lunch and enjoy the afternoon.

Also on the grounds is the Southold Historical Society’s Nautical Museum. The museum features exhibits, paintings, whaling tools, and rare historical objects. The Lighthouse and museum are open from Memorial Day through Columbus Day, Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30am - 4:00 pm. Admission is $3 for adults and free for children under 12 years.

All information listed above compliments of : http://www.discoverlongisland.com/suffolkculture/history-heritage/lighthouses.aspx

                               For more information on Horton Pt :
                       http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=392
                              http://www.seathelights.com/ny/horton.html
                        http://www.southoldhistoricalsociety.org/lighthouse.htm

After visiting Horton Point you should stop at Cliffs Elbow Room and have the Marinated Porterhouse. Pure Heaven! http://www.elbowroomli.com/

Execution Rocks Lighthouse

The Skulls Left Behind

Sue Clark

Execution Rocks, sitting at the west end of Long Island Sound in New York since 1851, lends itself to grisly tales just due to its name. According to folklore, the British avoided public executions in Colonial times because they would inflame the revolutionary spirit of the American people. Instead, they would carry the condemned to these reefs at low tide, chain them to rings embedded in the rock, and wait for high tide to carry out the death sentence. Some say the skeletons were left to torture the minds of the newly condemned as they faced certain death. But the ghosts of the condemned had their revenge. A shipload of British soldiers, sent to pursue Washington on his retreat from Manhattan to White Plains, foundered at the reef. No redcoats survived.

The legend of the executions had such hold, that when lightkeepers were assigned to Execution Rocks, they were under a unique contract. No lightkeeper was to ever feel chained to the reef. Instead of stating a set length of duty, their contract read that their length of service was for as long as they were willing. If for any reason, they requested a transfer, it was instantly granted.

Specters have been seen on the rocks near the lighthouse, but the last Coast Guard keeper denied ever having seen anyone that could be construed as a ghost. But with its history, it’s hard to say if maybe he just wasn’t sensitive enough to see them. The lighthouse has also been the scene of fires two times, once in 1918 and once in 1921, both in the engine room. The first time, the fog signal, running for five hours, slowed, and the keeper went to investigate. When he opened the door to the room, he was greeted by flames. The second time, an overheated exhaust pipe caused the roof to catch fire. Perhaps the spirits of those executed and left on the rocks were taking their revenge