Portsmouth Harbor Light

The Portsmouth Harbor Light is a historic lighthouse located in New Castle, New Hampshire, within Fort Constitution. It was first established in 1771 as the 10th of 11 lighthouses created prior to the American Revolution. The original tower was a shingled wooden structure with an iron lantern and copper roof, but it has undergone several changes over the years.

The current tower, built in 1878, is a 48-foot conical cast-iron and brick-lined structure that stands on the foundation of the 1804 tower. The lighthouse is equipped with a Fourth Order Fresnel lens and emits a fixed green signal visible for 12 nautical miles. The light was automated in 1960 and is currently owned by the United States Coast Guard. Other structures at the light station include the 1903 oil house and the 1872 keeper's house, which now serves as Coast Guard offices.

The Portsmouth Harbor Light has a rich history, with several notable events and changes over the years. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. The Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses, a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation, was established in 2001 to preserve the lighthouse and associated structures, and to share its history with the public. The group is licensed to care for the lighthouse tower, oil house, and wooden walkway, and works to protect and promote this historic site.

Light and tower

It has a conical tower. The tower is built of Cast-iron & Brick. The light has a focal height of 14.6 metres. The light has a range of 12 nautical miles. Its light characteristic is Fixed Green. It carries a Fourth order [[Fresnel lens|Fresnel]], 1854 lens. It was first lit in 1878. It was automated in 1960.

Videos

NH Chronicle - Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse

New Hampshire Chronicle: 250 Years of the Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse

Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse Foghorn

NH Chronicle - Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse