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Cape lighthouse topless for first time in
more than 100 years
Blackanthem
Military News, CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla., February 01, 2006 14:15
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Construction workers guide the 18,000-pound roof and lamp room to the
ground from atop the 151-foot Cape Canaveral Lighthouse. The
structures were removed as part of an ongoing renovation project. This
is the first time the original lamp room has been separated from the
lighthouse base in more than 100 years. (Photo by Jim Laviska) |
A small gathering of workers,
volunteers and news media representatives saw something here Jan. 26 that
hasn’t been seen in more than 100 years: a topless Cape Canaveral
Lighthouse.
Construction workers using a gigantic crane removed the roof and lamp room
atop the 151-foot, 138-year-old structure as part of an ongoing
refurbishment project. The combined weight of the roof and lamp room is
approximately 18,000 pounds.
Although there is some debate as to the exact date, the last time the lamp
room was detached from the base of the lighthouse was sometime between
1892 and 1894. "Whichever it was, what we’re seeing today is probably only
the second time it’s ever happened. There is so much history here. Seeing
this is phenomenal," said Sonny Witt, deputy commander of Detachment. 1,
45th Support Group at the Cape.
The lamp room is the original structure, but the roof is actually a
replacement roof that was perched on top of the lighthouse during
modifications in 1994. The original copper roof was taken to the U.S. Air
Force Space and Missile Museum at the Cape, where it covered a gazebo for
several years. That original roof was recently taken off the gazebo and
will be put back on top of the lighthouse. The roof removed from the
lighthouse will sit on top of the gazebo.
This refurbishment project will clean up corrosion problems, as well as
damage to the lighthouse caused by Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne. "We’re
working to restore the lighthouse," said Robert Elliott, 45th Civil
Engineer Squadron project engineer. "We’re repairing damage caused by
severe corrosion and making the lighthouse safer for people to visit."
That’s great news to Dr. David Paterno, president of the Cape Canaveral
Lighthouse Foundation. This group signed a memorandum of agreement with
the 45th Space Wing on Dec. 1, 2005, that allows it to work with the Air
Force to help maintain the lighthouse and possibly improve public access.
"The lighthouse has been rusting away and is in dire need of all the help
it can get. This is a major step toward getting the lighthouse complex
back to what it was," said Dr. Paterno. "This lighthouse sits on land that
is the oldest mapped location in the [United States}.The famous scientist
Dr. Werner Von Braun used to watch rocket launches from the top of this
lighthouse. We believe this is the most unique lighthouse in America, and
we want to make it safe and secure, and preserve it for our children and
their children."
The Cape Canaveral Lighthouse is the only operational lighthouse in the
Air Force and is still used by mariners as a navigation aide. While the
Air Force owns the lighthouse, the U.S. Coast Guard operates it. "The
Coast Guard powered down the light on January 10. The plan is for them to
refurbish the light and it will be put back on top of the lighthouse
again--inside the refurbished lamp room and under the original copper
roof," said Mr. Elliott. "When the project is completed we’ll have
resolved all the core corrosion issues and have a new exterior coat of
paint. The lighthouse will look as good as new."
The entire refurbishment project is set for completion around mid-July.
For more information on the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse and the foundation,
go to www.capecanaverallighthousefoundation.com.
By Ken Warren
45th Space Wing Public Affairs
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