Sassafras Point Light

The Sassafras Point Light was a lighthouse that stood in the Providence, Rhode Island harbor approaches. It was deactivated in 1912 and no longer exists.

Sassafras Point Light

postcard image of light
Location	Providence River off Sassafras Point
Coordinates	41°48′1.55″N 71°23′31.41″W[1]
Year first lit	1872[2]
Deactivated	1912[2]
Foundation	granite pier[3]
Construction	Wood[3]
Tower shape	hexagonal pyramidal tower[3]
Tower height	14 feet (4.3 m)[4]
Focal height	25 feet (7.6 m)[2]
Original lens	sixth order Fresnel lens[2]
Characteristic	F R

History

This light was paired with the Fuller Rock Light from the beginning: it was approved in the same bill, built according to the same design, and tended by the same keepers.[5] Sassafras Point jutted out north into the Providence River, and the light thus marked this obstruction. The short wooden pyramidal tower sat upon a granite pier and was provided with a sixth order Fresnel lens; it was first lit in 1872.[4]

This light was unmanned and was visited from shore by boat; a keeper's dwelling was originally planned but although funds were appropriated in 1874 the lighthouse service was never able to acquire a property on which to erect a house, and keepers lived in their own homes in town. Staffing was difficult due to the low pay.[6]

The light was removed in 1912 as part of a channel-widening project.[6]

References

1. Church, Earl (1920). Triangulation in Rhode Island. Government Printing Office. p. 40. Retrieved 2014-01-14.
2. "Sassafras Point Lighthouse". Jeremy D'Entremont. Retrieved 2014-01-14.
3. Geake, Robert A. (2013). A History of the Providence River. History Press. p. 80. Retrieved 2014-01-14.
4. "Sassafras Point Lighthouse". R. Holmes. Retrieved 2014-01-14.
5. "History of Fuller Rock Light, East Providence, Rhode Island". Jeremy D'Entremont. Retrieved 2014-01-14.
6. "History of Sassafras Point Light, East Providence, Rhode Island". Jeremy D'Entremont. Retrieved 2014-01-14.