Caribou Island Lighthouse

Caribou Island Lighthouse sits on the uninhabited Caribou Island in the eastern end of Lake Superior, 22 miles (35 km) south of Michipicoten Island. It lies entirely within the territorial waters of Canada although only about three miles from the international border between Canada and the United States. It is approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) long and approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) wide.

Caribou Island Lighthouse
Caribou Island Lighthouse, August 2019
Ontario
LocationCaribou Island
Lake Superior
Ontario
Canada
Coordinates47°20′23.1″N 85°49′33.1″W[1][2]
Year first constructed1886 (first)
Year first lit1912 (current)
Automatedmid-1970
Constructionconcrete tower
Tower shapehexagonal tapered tower with six flying buttresses, balcony and lantern
Markings / patternwhite tower, red balcony and lantern
Tower height31.5 metres (103 ft)
Focal height30 metres (98 ft)
Original lenssecond order Fresnel lens by Chance Brothers
Light sourcesolar power
CharacteristicFl W 15s.
CHS numberCCG 1096
ARLHS numberCAN-631
USCG number7-16845
Managing agentCanadian Coast Guard [3]
Heritageclassified federal heritage building of Canada 

A dangerous reef stretches 1 mile (1.6 km) along the north and west shores of Caribou Island, and a shallow reef 2.5 miles (4.0 km) stretches beyond to the southwest to Caribou Island, lying only 11 feet (3.4 m) below the lake's surface. The unmanned lighthouse, which is owned by the Canadian Coast Guard, is located on a tiny adjacent island called Lighthouse Island a few hundred feet across and positioned 1 mile (1.6 km) west of the southern tip of the main island. When originally built, it was visible for 16 miles (26 km) and operated on a 30-second revolving cycle.[4] Caribou Island is about 55 km (34 mi) off Agawa Bay on the east shore of the lake.

History

The present light was built in 1912 (station established 1886), flashes white every 15 seconds and is 31.5 meters (103 feet) tall. It is a hexagonal concrete tower with six flying buttresses. The structure is painted white, while the lantern, gallery and watch room are red. The lighthouse is located on a small island southwest of Caribou Island itself and about 5 km (3.1 mi) north of the international border. It is only accessible by boat or floatplane via a shallow, rocky harbour on the east side, or by helicopter via a landing area on the north side.

Keepers
  • R. May 1886 – 1887
  • Charles James Pim 1887–1898
  • Wilbrod O. Demers 1899–1906
  • Antoine Boucher 1907–1912
  • George W. Johnston 1912–1921
  • J. George Penfold 1921–1922
  • John W. Kennedy 1922–1928
  • Charles N. McDonald 1928–1935
  • Arthur W. Hurley 1935–1962
  • Alfred Thibeault 1962–1964
  • George Rutherford 1964–?
  • Reg Dawson (at least 1968)
  • Bert Hopkins[5]
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See also

References
  1. INLAND WATERS – List of Lights, Buoys and Fog Signals, Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Official Canadian Coast Guard Statement. Last correction: 9/2014, http://notmar.gc.ca/eng/services/list/2009-inland-waters/i1082e2009.pdf
  2. Notices to Mariners, Fisheries and Oceans Canada. http://notmar.gc.ca/go.php?doc=eng/services/list/2009-inland-waters/i1082e2009
  3. Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Canada: Western Ontario". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
  4. U.S. Lake Survey (1910). "Lake Superior". Bulletin of the northern and northwestern lake survey, Issues 19. Detroit, Michigan: U.S. Lake Survey Office. p. 77.
  5. Lighthouses Friends Archived January 2, 2015, at the Wayback Machine


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