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West Quoddy Head (44°49' north latitude, 66°57' west longitude) in Lubec, Maine is the easternmost point in the 48 contiguous states of the United States. West Quoddy Head is adjacent to the Quoddy Narrows, a narrow strait between Canada and the United States. Since 1808, there has been a lighthouse on the site to guide ships through this waterway. The present one with distinctive red-and-white stripes was built in 1858. Photographs and paintings of this lighthouse are frequently reproduced.
Historical Chronology from Coast Guard web site:
1806: Lighthouse at West Passamaquoddy Head, Maine, first authorized by Congress.
1808: Light station established on 21 April 1808 at a cost of $5,000. The first keeper was Thomas Dexter.
1820: On May 15, Congress authorizes the first fog signal, a 500-pound bell, at the station for a cost of $1,000.
1939: Howard Grey was the last civilian keeper of the station prior to its transfer to the U.S. Coast Guard.
1962: As of 15 August 1962 BM1 Bruce Keene was OIC, or Officer-in-Charge (dates of the time he began and ended his tour are not presently known--he served at least through September 1964.) According to documents in the West Quoddy file, his father, LT Thomas Keene, had previously served as the head keeper of the light station.
1963: As of 27 October Keene was still OIC and (Engineman?) Richard Copeland was his assistant.
1978: Through 31 May the OIC was BM1 Cliffton Scholfield. He had a crew of two assistants: MT2 Carl Hatch and MT
1978: On 1 June, BM2 George Eaton took over as the OIC of the station. He had two assistants.
1979: MK3 Carl Hatch was a member of the crew.
1981: As of 14 September, the OIC was BM1 John Richardson.
1988: The light was automated in July 1988. The last OIC (keeper) was Malcolm Rouse, USCG.
West Quoddy Head Light
See also
| | Image Name | West Quoddy Head Light.jpg | | Caption | West Quoddy Head Lighthouse and Quoddy Narrow... | | Location | West Quoddy head/Bay of Fundy | | Coordinates | coor dms | | Yearbuilt | 1808 | | Yearlit | 1858 (Current tower) | | Automated | 1988 | | Foundation | Masonry | | Construction | Brick | | Shape | Conical | | Marking | Red and white bands with black lantern | | Height | 49 feet | | Elevation | Center of lantern 83 feet (25.3 meters) above... | | Lens | Third order Fresnel lens | | Intensity | 30,000 candlepower, 1000 watt bulb | | Range | 15-18 miles (24-29 kilometers) at sea | | Characteristic | Flashing Light |
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