Cape Disappointment #2
by Robert Bales
Title
Cape Disappointment #2
Artist
Robert Bales
Medium
Photograph - Photo
Description
The Long Beach Peninsula's first lighthouse, Cape Disappointment, had a bumpy beginning. As early as 1848, a government survey had recommended a lighthouse due to the great number of shipwrecks. Lighthouse construction materials were underway in 1853, stashed in the hull of the ship Oriole when it sank two miles off shore. While a few items were salvaged, the bulk of the shipment was lost.
Problems continued to plague the project, including the discovery that a lantern for the lighthouse had never been ordered. A first order Fresnel lens, invented at the turn of the 19th century by Augustin Jean Fresnel and ground and constructed in Paris in 1841, was shipped from its first home at the Navesink Lighthouse in New Jersey. The lens, using 18 wicks, burned five gallons of kerosene each night and produced a light that could be seen 20 miles out to sea. Purchased for approximately $4,500, it would cost $6 million to create today.
In dense fog, the lighthouse originally rang out the deep, resonant tones of a 1,600-pound bronze bell as warning. It was later learned that the configuration of Cape Disappointment was such that there were dead spots where the bell could not be heard, and use of the bell was discontinued. The 53-foot masonry lighthouse was completed in 1856.
Uploaded
October 22nd, 2016
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Viewed 2,305 Times - Last Visitor from Beverly Hills, CA on 04/22/2024 at 3:36 AM
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Comments (77)
Skip Willits
A great image Robert, the offshore breeze and crystal clear water make this a special image.
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks, Skip for the visit, nice comments!! It is one of my favorite places when I go to the beach!
Seaux-N-Seau Soileau
Beautiful capture, the sky and water has such rich color!! The information is great. It is amazing how much their investment in the lighthouse grew in value!!
I'ina Van Lawick
Beautiful image, Bob, The green agaist blue, composition, and mood. LF
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks so much!! One of my favorite places when I return to my home area!! Thanks for the LF!
Pat Goltz
Oh how I long to be able to spend time on the seashore for a few days, but that is no longer possible, and may not be possible ever for me. So I deeply appreciate such beautiful images as this one. Thank you for sharing.
Kathi Isserman
I love light houses. This is exceptional LF
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks so much for the nice comments and i also love lighthouses! Thanks for the LF!
Rafael Salazar
It certainly looks like a beautiful location to visit and thanks to your artwork I get to see and learn about its interesting history. Kudos L/F/Tw