NOBSKA

By Ben Carnevale

Locals and tourists alike pass Nobska Lighthouse in Woods Hole on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, every day. We take comfort in Nobska’s beauty and powerful fourth-order beam. Folks on Martha’s Vineyard and parts of the Elizabeth Islands also enjoy Nobska as do mariners out at sea but from different perspectives and for different reasons.

We take a close look inside Nobska with photos and text to reveal the history from one of America’s most beloved lighthouse—Nobska!

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<<(Back cover)>>

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jun 16, 2021
• ISBN: 9781662425776

Book preview

cover.jpg

NOBSKA

Ben Carnevale

Copyright © 2023 Ben Carnevale

All rights reserved

Second Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2023

Cover: Nobska lighthouse in Woods Hole Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Painting by artist Manny Dias of Cape Cod.

ISBN 978-1-6624-2576-9 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-6624-2577-6 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1

In the Beginning

Introduction

First Lighthouse in Colonial America

Nathaniel Winslow Lewis—The Need for Brighter Lights

Lewis Lantern Design

Lewis Proposal for a US Government Contract

US Government Contract

Lighthouses Using the Lewis Lighting System

How Well Did the Lewis Lighting System Perform?

Summary

Meet the Argand Oil Lamp Designer

Original 1929 Nobska Light Station

Introduction

Buy the Land

Construction

Keepers' Dwelling

Lantern

Lewis Lighting System

Maintenance

Oil Consumption

Wood Shed

Cistern

Barn

Oil House

Lewis Lighting System Modification

Rescue Boat

Keepers' Logbook Entry9

Stephen Pleasonton Declined Using Fresnel Lenses

The Decisive Comparison

Chapter Summary

Chapter 2

The Fresnel Lens

Upgrade the Nobska Lens

Oil Consumption

How the Nobska Lens Was Made

How Is Nobska's Powerful Light Created?

Introduction

Three Different Prisms

1. Convex Prisms

2. Dioptric Prisms

3. Catadioptric Prisms

Focal Plane

Luminous Range

Geographical Range

How Mariners View Nobska's Light

What's It Like Living Inside the Nobska Lens?

Why Are Fresnel Lenses Tapered at the Top and Bottom?

Meet the Lens Designer

Lens Manufacturers

Take Down the Original Nobska Light

Chapter Summary

Chapter 3

Rebuilding Nobska Light Station

Introduction

Let's Take a Tour

Exterior Construction

Lantern

Vent Ball

Lightning Rod

Interior Construction

Italianate Style Sash Windows

Watch Room

Air Ventilators

Fifth Order Fresnel Lens

Upgrade to a Fourth Order Fresnel Lens

Oil Consumption

The Red Sector

Upgrade the Oil Lamp

L'Hommedieu and Hedge Fence Shoals

Damages to the Lens

Keepers' Logbook Entries19

Aluminum Panels to Block the Light!

Double Doors to the Catwalk

Catwalk

Finials

Lighthouse Floors

Keepers' Dwelling

Brick Oil House

Keepers' Logbook Entries

Underground Kerosene Tank

Keepers' Logbook Entries

Henhouse Built

Covered Walkway Was Installed

Keeper Logbook Entries25

Second Keepers' Dwelling Was Added

Wood Shed

Keepers' Logbook Entry27

Pigpen

Keepers' Logbook Entry

Update the Keepers' Dwellings

Vinyl Siding

Lights Out!

Chapter Summary

Chapter 4

Nobska Lit by Electricity

Introduction

Electrical Problems

Keepers' Logbook Entries32

Standby Generator

Emergency Light Beacon

Flagpole and Floodlights

Automatic Lamp Changer with Flasher

Power Outages

Automation

Garage

Keepers' Logbook Entrie

Chapter Summary

Chapter 5

Nobska Lighthouse Keepers

Introduction

Requirements of Nobska Keepers

Uniforms

Keep Oil Lamps Lit

Maintain Logbooks

Instructions and Directions

Most Challenging

Who Were the Keepers at Nobska Lighthouse?

How Much Were Nobska Keepers Paid?

Benefits for the Keepers

Awards

Interesting Stories Involving Nobska Keepers

Peter Daggett

Oliver A. Nickerson

Fredric Ray

Fredric Ray

Oliver A. Nickerson and George I. Cameron

George I. Cameron

George I. Cameron

Robert M. McAfee

John M. Scharff

John M. Scharff and Waldo Leighton

John M. Schraff and George T. Gustavus

John M. Scharff

John M. Scharff

Joseph G. Hindley

Events Involving Nobska

Rescues

Rescues

Accident

Stories

Cesspool

Chapter Summary

Chapter 6

Fog Signal and Radio Beacon

Introduction

First Fog Signal at the Nobska Light Station

New Skeletal Frame for the Fog Bell

Striking Machinery Installed for the Fog Bell

New House Installed for the Striking Machinery

Covered Enclosure for the Fog Bell

Fog Whistle Replaces Fog Bell

Keepers' Logbook Entries

Trumpet Fog Signal and Building Replaced the Fog Whistle

Keepers' Logbook Entries

Reed Fog Signal Replaced the Trumpet Fog Signal

Air Diaphragm Fog Signal Replaced the Reed

Keepers' Logbook Entries

Baffle

Gas Generator

Fog Sensing System Replaced Fog Air Diaphragm

MRASS Electronic Fog System Replaced Fog Sensing System

Radio Beacon

Relocate the Radio Beacon Tower

Cement Foundation for the Temporary Radio Beacon Tower

New Radio Tower Location

Radio Mast Foundation

Keepers' Logbook Entry

Ground Plane

Telephone Equipment Building

Telephone

Chapter Summary

Chapter 7

Historical Attractions near Nobska

Martha's Vineyard Island

Woods Hole Village

First Congregational Church of Falmouth

Pacific Guano Works

National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Woods Hole Science Aquarium

Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL)

Katharine Lee Bates

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)

Geodesic Dome

Bartholomew Gosnold

Nantucket Island

Lighthouses on Nantucket Island

Martha's Vineyard Island

Lighthouses on Martha's Vineyard Island

Elizabeth Islands

Characteristics of Cuttyhunk Island

Who Owns the Elizabeth Islands?

Lighthouses on the Elizabeth Islands

Islands of the Elizabeth Islands (Alphabetical Order)

Bachelor Island

Baret Island

Bull Island

Cedar Island

Cuttyhunk Island

Gosnold Island

Gull Island

Monohansett Island

Nashawena Island

Naushon Island

Nonamesset Island

Pasque Island

Penikese Island

Rock Island

Uncatena Island

Veckatimest Island (Veck-ah-tem-ist)

Weepecket Islands

Chapter 8

Interesting Facts about Lighthouses

Fresnel Lens

Nobska Light

Where Is the Most Powerful Fresnel Lens in the World?

How Many Lighthouses in the World?

Which Country Has the Most Lighthouses?

Which State Has the Most Lighthouses?

How Many States Have Lighthouses?

Lighthouse Types

Skeletal Frame Lighthouse

Conical Lighthouse

Screw-Pile Lighthouse

Caisson Lighthouse

Stag Lighthouse

Integral Lighthouse

Texas Tower Lighthouse

Schoolhouse Lighthouse

Lightship

How Many Lighthouses When We Became a Nation in 1776?

Where Is the Highest Lighthouse Above Sea Level in America?

Lighthouse Characteristics and Symbols Used in Navigational Charts

Where Is the Most Isolated Lighthouse in the World?

Where Can I View Multiple Lighthouses?

From Nobska Light, Woods Hole, Massachusetts:

From Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth Maine:

From Avery Point Light in Groton Connecticut:

Oldest Wooden Lighthouse in America!

Where Was the First Fog Signal in America?

Ten Oldest Lighthouses in America

Three Oldest Lighthouses in the World

Pharos Island Light

Tower of Hercules

Roman Lighthouse

People Who Study Lighthouses

Fresnel Lens Dimensional Chart (Approximate)

Oil Consumption for Fresnel Lenses Using Oil Lamps (Approx.)77

Early Lighthouse Keepers

Lighthouse Markings

Chapter 9

Lighthouse Organization and Nobska Visitor Rules

Introduction

Organizations

US Lighthouse Establishment

US Lighthouse Board

US Lighthouse Service (Bureau)

United States Coast Guard

Bureau of Navigation

US Coast Guard Responsible for Nobska

US Coast Guard Auxiliary

National Historical Registry

Friends of Nobska Light

Town of Falmouth

Renovation Project

Nobska Visitor Restrictions

Public Events Permitted on the Grounds at Nobska Light

Nobska Visitor Admissions, Rules, and Restrictions

Chapter 10

Distance, Navigation, Nautical Miles

Introduction

How Far Can We See?

Geographical Range

Luminous Range

Formula

Distance from Object to Lighthouse

Example

Looming of Light

Lighthouse Height versus Distance Chart

Navigating a Course

Mercator Projection Chart

True North versus Magnetic North

Variation (Declination)

Compass Rose

Deviation

Nautical Miles versus Statute Miles

Definition and Conversion

Why Use Nautical Miles?

Chapter 11

Determine Your Longitude

Coordinate System

Lateral Lines

Longitudinal Lines

Prime Meridian (Zero Degree Longitude)

Determine Your Longitude Anywhere on the Planet

A Word about Time Zones

How to Calculate Miles between Longitudes

Formula

Example 1

Example 2

Chapter 12

Lighthouse Passport and Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Lighthouse Passport?

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions by Our Nobska Visitors:

Nobska History Time Line

Lighthouse Glossary

NOBSKA

Preface

Born in Newton, Massachusetts, in 1933, Ben was always fascinated by lighthouses along the Massachusetts coastlines. Everyone loves lighthouses, especially those who rely on their powerful beam of light for guidance and survival in troubled waters. People worldwide love to visit and learn about lighthouses. Some inquire about overnight or a few days' stay, while others inquire about renting or even purchasing a lighthouse!

Nobska Light greets an average of 1,500 visitors each year, and it's interesting to hear the variety of questions asked: When was the light tower painted white? Explain refraction. What's the difference between nautical and statute miles?

As a ham radio operator with call sign W1VZT, I was privileged to have been assigned to set up and operate the clubs' radio station at Nobska Light several years ago during Lighthouse Week in August. The purpose of this annual event is to offer ham radio operators an opportunity to make radio contact to as many lighthouses as possible, worldwide. Awards are available, or a simple exchange of QSL cards—cards that hams exchange to one another to confirm their contacts.

I am also privileged and honored to work with and learn from my tour guide colleagues. We want to make sure our visitors leave Nobska Light with the knowledge of its history, as well as memories of its incredible views. Equally as important, to leave Nobska with all their questions answered. However, I occasionally found myself citing inaccurate historical information gathered from the Internet. In fact, one source claimed some lighthouses could be seen far beyond the curvature of earth despite after giving focal planes of the light sources! Another claimed ten oil lamps were used inside a Fresnel fifth order lens. Hmmm, hardly enough space!

Yet another explained the many gallons of oil carried up many stairs daily to the watch room, without realizing the lens employed only one oil lamp that burned less than a gallon per night! These discrepancies were obvious, but how about those not so obvious such as dates, focal planes, or keepers' names for example?

Nobska visitors look for answers, and this book is intended to serve that purpose. Please feel free to contact me should you detect any errors or concerns or if you simply wish to discuss any topic regarding Nobska at [e-mail].

Enjoy!

Introduction

When we talk or write about the history of anything our major areas of concerns must be in the details and accuracies…right? Well, in my attempt to achieve such concerns, I visited many institutions over the last several years during the course of writing this book to study many original Nobska documents, and feel I have provided Nobska lighthouse enthusiasts with the only book ever written, which consolidates Nobska's history and reference data, into one convenient source between two covers! I wrote this second edition of Nobska to provide readers with not only more photos and text but to also cover more fascinating aspects of our historic Nobska Light.

Chapter 1 through 5 covers the original 1829 Nobska Light station, understanding about the Fresnel lens, rebuilding the 1876 Nobska Light, installing electricity at Nobska Light for the first time, and meeting the keepers of Nobska Light. You will find Nobska Time Line toward the back of this book to be very useful. The glossary at the end of this book will explain unfamiliar lighthouse terms. Chapter 10 explains how far a light can be seen and how far you can see from various heights above sea level by using a very simple formula, and it also explains how nautical miles came to be. Chapter 11 explains the science of finding your longitude anywhere on our planet.

I love being a Nobska tour guide, I love interacting with our visitors, and above all, I love sharing the history and the many incredible and breathtaking views from our beautiful Nobska!

Please enjoy the ride.

Acknowledgments

Thank you to those who graciously offered their help and assistance during my research for this book… I am forever grateful.

Dr. Don Abt and Sandy Abt, for their valuable time and answers to my hard questions.

Joanne Blum-Carnevale, my lovely and talented wife, for her understanding, endless patience, lighthouse knowledge, proofreading, and valuable contributions to this book. (Joanne is also a Nobska tour guide.)

Catherine Bumpus, former director of Friends of Nobska Light, for her warm welcome of my request to access documents.

Peter Collom, USCG commander (retired), and Edna Collom, for their warm welcome,