Mile Rocks Lighthouse is located on a rock about 1 mile (1.6 km) southwest of the Golden Gate Bridge, off of Lands End in San Francisco, California. It was completed in 1906, replacing a nearby bell buoy. In 1966, the light was automated, and the original 85 m (279 ft) tower of the lighthouse was demolished and replaced by a helipad. The lighthouse was at one time painted with alternating red and white rings, but as of 2017[update], the lighthouse is painted plain white.
Mile Rocks Lighthouse
Mile Rocks Lighthouse with helicopter landing on the top
In 1889, the United States Lighthouse Service placed a bell buoy near the rocks. However, strong currents in the area would pull the buoy beneath the surface of the water and set it adrift.
On February 22, 1901, the SS City of Rio de Janeiro wrecked on the rocks, which prompted the lighthouse to be built.[4] One hundred and twenty-eight persons, of 209 aboard, lost their lives when the ship sank.
The lighthouse was constructed by contractor James McMahon who hired sailors from San Francisco after his original crew refused to work in the dangerous conditions. Mile Rocks Lighthouse was finished in 1906 after considerable difficulty caused by the heavy seas and strong currents near the site.[4]
The rock upon which the lighthouse is built measures only 40 by 30 feet (12.2 by 9.1 m) at high water. The base of the tower is a large block of concrete protected by steel plating. Steel and concrete in the foundation weigh 1500 tons. The superstructure is made of steel and houses the fog signal apparatus and the quarters for the former keepers.
In 1966, the light was automated and the tower was removed, leaving only foundation and the first story. The top of the first story was modified to support a helipad for the US Coast Guard. The original third order Fresnel lens was transferred to the Old Point Loma Lighthouse in San Diego.
Galleryedit
Mile Rocks Lighthouse in 1962, showing the original configuration.
Mile Rocks lighthouse, with Point Bonita and Marin headlands in distance
Mile Rocks Light with Container ship Sealand Balboa in December 2019
^California Historic Light Station Information & Photography United States Coast Guard. Retrieved 11 June 2016
^Miles Rock Light Lighthouse Friends. Retrieved 11 June 2016
^ ab"Mile Rocks: A Bay Area Lighthouse Unlike Any Other". KQED. 18 January 2019. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
External linksedit
. United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. Archived from the original on 2017-05-01.
U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Mile Rock Lighthouse
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mile Rocks Lighthouse.
December 18, 2023
mile, rocks, lighthouse, located, rock, about, mile, southwest, golden, gate, bridge, lands, francisco, california, completed, 1906, replacing, nearby, bell, buoy, 1966, light, automated, original, tower, lighthouse, demolished, replaced, helipad, lighthouse, . Mile Rocks Lighthouse is located on a rock about 1 mile 1 6 km southwest of the Golden Gate Bridge off of Lands End in San Francisco California It was completed in 1906 replacing a nearby bell buoy In 1966 the light was automated and the original 85 m 279 ft tower of the lighthouse was demolished and replaced by a helipad The lighthouse was at one time painted with alternating red and white rings but as of 2017 update the lighthouse is painted plain white Mile Rocks LighthouseMile Rocks Lighthouse with helicopter landing on the topLocationoffshore Lands EndSan Francisco CaliforniaUnited StatesCoordinates37 47 34 N 122 30 37 W 37 79278 N 122 51028 W 37 79278 122 51028TowerConstructed1906 first Foundationmassive reinforced concrete enclosed with steel plates basementConstructionsteel towerAutomated1966Shapecylindrical tower with aerobeacon and helipad on the top current 3 stage cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern first Markingswhite and red horizontal bands tower current white towerPower sourcesolar power OperatorUnited States Coast Guard 1 2 3 Fog signalblast every 30s continuouslyLightFirst lit1966 current rebuilt Focal height49 feet 15 m Lens3rd order Fresnel lens original aerobeacon current Range15 nmi 28 km 17 mi CharacteristicFl W 5s Contents 1 History 2 Gallery 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksHistory editIn 1889 the United States Lighthouse Service placed a bell buoy near the rocks However strong currents in the area would pull the buoy beneath the surface of the water and set it adrift On February 22 1901 the SS City of Rio de Janeiro wrecked on the rocks which prompted the lighthouse to be built 4 One hundred and twenty eight persons of 209 aboard lost their lives when the ship sank The lighthouse was constructed by contractor James McMahon who hired sailors from San Francisco after his original crew refused to work in the dangerous conditions Mile Rocks Lighthouse was finished in 1906 after considerable difficulty caused by the heavy seas and strong currents near the site 4 The rock upon which the lighthouse is built measures only 40 by 30 feet 12 2 by 9 1 m at high water The base of the tower is a large block of concrete protected by steel plating Steel and concrete in the foundation weigh 1500 tons The superstructure is made of steel and houses the fog signal apparatus and the quarters for the former keepers In 1966 the light was automated and the tower was removed leaving only foundation and the first story The top of the first story was modified to support a helipad for the US Coast Guard The original third order Fresnel lens was transferred to the Old Point Loma Lighthouse in San Diego Gallery edit nbsp Mile Rocks Lighthouse in 1962 showing the original configuration nbsp Mile Rocks lighthouse with Point Bonita and Marin headlands in distance nbsp Mile Rocks Light with Container ship Sealand Balboa in December 2019 nbsp The lighthouse after modificationsSee also edit nbsp California portal nbsp Engineering portal List of lighthouses in the United StatesReferences edit Rowlett Russ Lighthouses of the United States Northern California The Lighthouse Directory University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Retrieved 2016 06 11 California Historic Light Station Information amp Photography United States Coast Guard Retrieved 11 June 2016 Miles Rock Light Lighthouse Friends Retrieved 11 June 2016 a b Mile Rocks A Bay Area Lighthouse Unlike Any Other KQED 18 January 2019 Retrieved 20 January 2019 External links edit Historic Light Station Information and Photography California United States Coast Guard Historian s Office Archived from the original on 2017 05 01 U S Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System Mile Rock Lighthouse nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mile Rocks Lighthouse Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Mile Rocks Lighthouse amp oldid 1075813640, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
