The Coast Guard started a search today for the remains of the original Minot's Ledge Light which was destroyed in a storm in April of 1851.

I was stationed on the Graves Light which is within view of Minot's and used to watch the waves crash into the stone structure and roll right up to the top at times. I can only imagine how the keepers felt on that old cast iron tower before she gave way.

This should be interesting to follow for any Wickies out there and those that wish they were.

Why are they looking for it,just a pile of junk.

Chief,

I guess they are just trying to do a little history detective work. There are many rumors that most of the debris was retrieved and sold to a smelter to make cannon balls for the Civil War. However, I think some historian would really like to be able to determine a cause for the collapse. Just speculation.

History of the Light


http://www.lighthouse.cc/minots/history.html

Boston Globe article Tuesday.



A Beacon on the Past

They're also using it to train Coast Guard divers in underwater search and investigation techniques.

Hey Pat ,
I have some tickets for the senior golf tournament in concord if you are interested?
Dick

Dick,

When is the tournament. My wife and I are heading to Lost Wages, Nevada tomorrow for a week. I'd love to come up to Concord if the timing works out. I'll get to meet you and see how golf is supposed to be played. Something tells me I shouldn't be spending so much time in the woods, water and sand.

quote:

Originally posted by Hooligan1790:
The Coast Guard started a search today for the remains of the original Minot's Ledge Light which was destroyed in a storm in April of 1851.

I was stationed on the Graves Light which is within view of Minot's and used to watch the waves crash into the stone structure and roll right up to the top at times. I can only imagine how the keepers felt on that old cast iron tower before she gave way.

This should be interesting to follow for any Wickies out there and those that wish they were.

Not to be a wise guy or anything, but I was at ANT Boston for 4 years and took care of 23 light houses, you can not see Minots from Graves light, Boston light is between the two and they are just too far away to be seen even from the coplas.

jbur28,

quote:

Not to be a wise guy or anything, but I was at ANT Boston for 4 years and took care of 23 light houses, you can not see Minots from Graves light, Boston light is between the two and they are just too far away to be seen even from the coplas.

I will disagree with you on this. Minot's Ledge Light was a clear shot from The Graves. Boston Light was about 2 miles closer to shore and in a totally different direction from the Graves. Boston Light was west of the Graves, the Lightship was east and Minot's was south. All of which could be seen from the Graves. I could also see Deer Island Light and the one tower that was still lit at Cape Ann at the time.

When Minot's went out of sight we started to get the horns ready. During the day you could see Minot's without binoculars but if you wanted to see detail you could with binoculars. It has been 38 years since I was stationed there but I have not forgotten that great view from lens level.

Pat,
The tournament is this weekend.. I am in the book so when you get back to town give me a call.
Be well and have a great trip.
Sincerely,
Dick Driscoll

quote:

Originally posted by Hooligan1790:
jbur28,

quote:

Not to be a wise guy or anything, but I was at ANT Boston for 4 years and took care of 23 light houses, you can not see Minots from Graves light, Boston light is between the two and they are just too far away to be seen even from the coplas.

I will disagree with you on this. Minot's Ledge Light was a clear shot from The Graves. Boston Light was about 2 miles closer to shore and in a totally different direction from the Graves. Boston Light was west of the Graves, the Lightship was east and Minot's was south. All of which could be seen from the Graves. I could also see Deer Island Light and the one tower that was still lit at Cape Ann at the time.

When Minot's went out of sight we started to get the horns ready. During the day you could see Minot's without binoculars but if you wanted to see detail you could with binoculars. It has been 38 years since I was stationed there but I have not forgotten that great view from lens level.

Sorry, I am not trying to be disrespectful, I know where the lights are located, I just left the billet less than 2 years ago, the only reason I'm even debating it is because I loved the job and being one of the last active duty light house keepers for Boston light. I just sent an email to a BM friend of mine who is stationed there and I just want to know if I am mistaken. If I am wrong, sorry about that. I don't know about you, but being part of the lighthouses was one of the most rewarding jobs I have ever had.

Hooligan,
I would just like to appoligize, you are correct and I am wrong, I checked the charts and my BM1 friend Emailed me back, you can see minots from graves. I guess I just never took the time to truely appriciate the view fully. sorry about that.

Hooligan will be back in a week.

jbur,

No apology necessary. It's just good to know that in my advanced years my memory is intact and not full of sea stories.

I kept trying to get out to Boston Light when you were out there but the time always slipped away. We at the Graves used to take the small boat over to Boston Light for a little unauthorized liberty. We'd have a cookout in the good weather, shoot some pool and head back for life in the tower.

I hate the fact that the Graves has deteriorated so much. The dock and the finger pier connecting the tower to the oil house or power shack have either been downsized or no longer exist. I sat out a few pretty violent Northeasters out there as well as days on end listening to the fog horn.

Pat

P.S. Back from Vegas and we still own the house.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Hooligan1790,

Does anyone know the outcome of this expedition? There were articles in the Globe about starting the search, but I never heard whether they ever found the remains of the original Minots Light.