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Cape Hatteras Light

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Cape hatteras lighthouse img 0529.jpg
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is located in North Carolina
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Location North of Cape Hatteras Point, Outer Banks, Hatteras Island, North Carolina
Coordinates 35°15′01.92″N 75°31′43.74″W / 35.2505333°N 75.5288167°W / 35.2505333; -75.5288167Coordinates: 35°15′01.92″N 75°31′43.74″W / 35.2505333°N 75.5288167°W / 35.2505333; -75.5288167
Year first constructed 1802 (original tower)
1870 (current tower)
Year first lit 1803 (original tower)
1870 (current tower)
Automated 1936 (skeleton tower)
1950 (current tower)
Foundation Granite, timber and rubble (first location)
Reinforced concrete (current location)
Construction Brick
Tower shape Conical
Markings / pattern Black and white spiral bands with red brick base with granite corners.
Height 210 feet (64 m)
Focal height 187 feet (57 m)
Original lens First order Fresnel, 1870
Current lens DCB-224 (1970)
Range 24 nautical miles (44 km; 28 mi)
Characteristic Flashing white 7.5 seconds
Admiralty number J2396
ARLHS number USA-119
USCG number

2-0625

Cape Hatteras Light Station
Cape Hatteras Light is located in North Carolina
Cape Hatteras Light
Cape Hatteras Light is located in the US
Cape Hatteras Light
Nearest city Buxton, North Carolina
Area 10 acres (4.0 ha)
Built 1803
NRHP Reference # 78000266
Added to NRHP March 29, 1978

2-0625

Cape Hatteras Light is a lighthouse located on Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks in the town of Buxton, North Carolina and is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

The Outer Banks are a group of islands on the North Carolina coast that separate the Atlantic Ocean from the coastal sounds and inlets. Atlantic currents in this area made for excellent travel for ships, except in the area of Diamond Shoals, just offshore at Cape Hatteras. Nearby, the warm Gulf Stream ocean current collides with the colder Labrador Current, creating ideal conditions for powerful ocean storms and sea swells. The large number of ships that ran aground because of these shifting sandbars gave this area the nickname "Graveyard of the Atlantic." It also led Congress to authorize the construction of the Cape Hatteras Light. Its 210-foot height makes it the tallest brick lighthouse structure in the United States and 29th in the world. Since its base is almost at sea level, it is only the 15th highest light in the United States, the first 14 being built on higher ground.

Adjacent to the Cape Hatteras Light is the Hatteras Island Visitor Center and Museum of the Sea, operated by the National Park Service, which is located in the historic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Double Keepers' Quarters. Exhibits include the history, maritime heritage and natural history of the Outer Banks and the lighthouse. The visitor center offers information about the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, ranger programs and a bookstore.

On July 10, 1794, Congress appropriated $44,000 "for erecting a lighthouse on the head land of Cape Hatteras and a lighted beacon on Shell Castle Island, in the harbor of Ocracoke in the State of North Carolina." The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was constructed in 1802.

The Cape Hatteras light marked very dangerous shoals which extend from the cape for a distance of 10 nautical miles (19 km). The original tower was built of dark sandstone and retained its natural color. The original light consisted of 18 lamps; with 14-inch (360 mm) reflectors, and was 112 feet (34 m) above sea level. It was visible in clear weather for a distance of 18 miles (29 km).


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