Rarely is there a day when the seas are calm enough to erase the difficulties associated with affecting a landing at this location, which is fraught with rocks and constantly impacted by powerful surges and some of the fastest currents in the world that flow in and out of the Piscataqua River.
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Rarely is there a day when the seas are calm enough to erase the difficulties associated with affecting a landing at this location, which is fraught with rocks and constantly impacted by powerful surges and some of the fastest currents in the world that flow in and out of the Piscataqua River.
Rarely is there a day when the seas are calm enough to erase the difficulties associated with affecting a landing at this location, which is fraught with rocks and constantly impacted by powerful surges and some of the fastest currents in the world that flow in and out of the Piscataqua River.
Given the realities at Whaleback, the Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses have but one option if this beloved lighthouse is to be saved – to establish a safe and durable docking system at the site that can serve as a springboard for all things preservation and education thereafter.
First, before establishing a boat landing and series of walkways / ramps at the lighthouse, the east and west stone breakwaters at the lighthouse must first be repaired.
Over many decades, powerful storms have taken their toll on the breakwaters, slowly dismantled them. Today much of the stonework that once comprised these protective walls has been strewn about the site to the point where the original purpose of the breakwaters has all but been rendered ineffective.
In order to repair the rock armor at Whaleback a marine company with a barge and crane – and ample experience with undertaking work at exposed locations, will be required.
Once the American Lighthouse Foundation obtains the approval of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission, work at the site is expected to begin not long thereafter. But of course, like all things at Whaleback Light, weather and seas will have a lot to say about things before all is said and done!
For more information on their plans and photos of this daunting light station sight, take a look at the ALF Whaleback Light Station web site. Stay tuned too for exciting updates on this project over the coming year.
For antique photos and other information on Whaleback Light Station, take a look at our Maine Items web page .