History/Info:
The most southerly of the York County lighthouses is approachable through
the town of Kittery. Whaleback Light stands on the northeast side of
Portsmouth Harbor at the mouth of the Piscataqua River. Both New Hampshire
and Maine squabbled over the light for decades but the U. S.Coast Guard
settled the dispute when it declared the heap of rock on which the tower
is built to be in Maine waters.
The light was first established in 1820 but was immediately damaged beyond
repair by a series of winter storms. A second lighthouse was commissioned
in 1831. This tower's granite foundation was badly laid and not bolted to
bedrock. These construction flaws were eventually recognized and
addressed. The foundation was broadened and the tower was strengthened
with a sheathing of cast iron and tightening buckles. With these
improvements, the lighthouse remained upright though wobbly for forty
years.
In 1872, the bottom tier of the old structure was incorporated into the
base of the 75 foot conical tower that stands today. This time the
foundation was first bolted firmly to the ledge. The current structure
shares its design with England's famous Eddystone Lighthouse. It is built
of dovetailed granite ashlar (thin square cut masonry facing). The windows
above the main entrance were sealed in 1886 after huge waves drenched the
interior of the tower. In 1963 the light was automated and in 1991 the
Coast Guard lowered the volume of the fog signal because the vibrations
were causing structural damage to the tower walls. Whaleback Light is 59
feet above sea level and can be seen for 24 nautical miles.
Although the light is inaccessible it can be quite closely viewed from
Fort McClary State Historic Site and Fort Foster located in Kittery off
Rout 103. Both parks are open to the public and offer limited recreational
facilities and parking. Modest fees are charged during the summer months.
The lighthouse is also viewed from Fort Constitution and New Castle
Island Park in New Castle, NH.
Source:
maineharbors.com
Latitude/Longitude: 43°04'N 70°42'W
Directions to New Castle locations:
click
here for overview map
click here for detailed map
#1
click here for detailed map
#1
- From Route 1 in downtown Portsmouth take Route 1A SOUTH.
- Follow Route 1A south until you get to Route 1B on your left. The road is called
Wentworth Road.
- Take Route 1B/Wentworth Rd. appx. 2.3 miles. The road will go sharply to the left. There
should be signs for Fort Constitution and the Coast Guard base.
- Also, about 1/2 mile before the fort on the right should be a sign for Great Island Common. You can go there to view Portsmouth Harbor Light as well as Whaleback light.
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