Romer Shoal Light

Romer Shoal Light is a sparkplug lighthouse in Lower New York Bay, on the north edge of the Swash Channel, about ³⁄₄ nautical mile (1.4 km; 0.86 mi) south of Ambrose Channel and 2 ¹⁄₂ nautical miles (4.6 km; 2.9 mi) north of Sandy Hook, New Jersey, in the entrance to New York Harbor.[6] It is in New Jersey, very close to the border with New York.[7]

Romer Shoal Light

Location	South of Ambrose Channel, New York Harbor
Coordinates	40°30′46.823″N 74°0′48.672″W
Year first constructed	1838
Year first lit	1898 (current tower)
Automated	1966
Foundation	Concrete / cast iron caisson
Construction	Cast iron
Tower shape	Frustum of a cone -- sparkplug
Markings / pattern	White bottom, red top including lantern
Tower height	54 feet (16 m)
Focal height	54 feet (16 m)
Original lens	Fourth-order Fresnel lens
Current lens	7.5 inches (190 mm)
Range	15 nautical miles (28 km; 17 mi)
Characteristic	Flashing white twice 15 s
Fog signal	Horn: 2 every 30 s
Admiralty number	J1090
ARLHS number	USA-701
USCG number	1-35070 [1] [2] [3]
Heritage	place listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Romer Shoal Light Station
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
New Jersey Register of Historic Places
Nearest city	Highlands, New Jersey
Area	less than one acre
Built	1898
Architect	U.S. Lighthouse Board
MPS	Light Stations of the United States MPS
NRHP reference No.	06001304 [4]
NJRHP No.	3713[5]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	January 24, 2007
Designated NJRHP	August 16, 2006

The shoal was named for the pilot boat William J. Romer which sank there in 1863.[3] The light was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007 as Romer Shoal Light Station.[4]

The Light was heavily damaged during Hurricane Sandy. The non-profit that has taken over stewardship of the Light is working with FEMA and private donors to preserve this national landmark.

References

1. "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: New Jersey". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. Archived from the original on 2017-05-01.
2. Light List, Volume I, Atlantic Coast, St. Croix River, Maine to Shrewsbury River, New Jersey (PDF). Light List. United States Coast Guard. 2009. p. 204.
3. Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of the United States: New Jersey". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
4. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
5. "New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places - Monmouth County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection - Historic Preservation Office. March 1, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 2, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2011.
6. NOAA Chart #12327 New York Harbor 1/40,000 2006
7. USGS quadrangle for cited location