Roanoke River
Lighthouse
This detailed replica
of the lighthouse represents the second in a series of three
important Roanoke River Light Stations. The first, commissioned in
1810 by the United States Lighthouse Service, was actually a
three-masted lightship anchored at the mouth of the river. Whale-oil
lights covered with red, green & blue lenses helped sailors find
safe entrance to the river. This early light vessel came into the
hands of the Confederacy during the Civil War and was retaken by
Union forces when they captured the town of Plymouth. Historians
think the station may have been taken up-river and scuttled with
other vessels to block the passage of the famous ironclad Ram
Albemarle.
The original of this replica, a graceful screwpile design built in
1866, replaced the first light vessel. Later that year, a winter
storm froze the Albemarle Sound and the thawing ice cut two of the
pilings, causing one side of the station to become partially
submerged. A third station was built in 1887 and remained until it
was decommissioned in the 1950s and removed.
See the chronology of the light, below, but for the full,
fascinating story visit the Roanoke River Lighthouse in Downtown
Plymouth. Plan time to explore the Roanoke River Maritime Museum,
just across the street.
And while you're there, don't miss the acclaimed Port o' Plymouth
Museum at the east end of Water Street, the adjacent Rail Switch
Nature Trail (one of NC Birding Trail's featured spots), the Wildife
Museum midway down the same street, historic walking tours, and lots
of shops and eateries. Visit the Town of Plymouth Web site or the
Washington County, NC Web site for more information about these and
other attractions.
Open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For other times, or
for group or special tours, please make arrangements by calling
(252) 217-2204. From US Highway 64, follow the signs to Downtown
Plymouth. Ample free parking for cars, buses and RVs convenient to
attractions.
Roanoke River Lighthouse Chronology
|
1831 |
Congress approves money for
lightship in Albemarle Sound
to aid mariners sailing to
and from Plymouth, NC |
|
1835 |
Lightship was built and put
into service about two miles
from mouth of Roanoke. It
became one of ten floating
beacons anchored in NC
waters between 1823 and
1836. G.W. Charles and D.M.
McDonald are
superintendents. |
|
1857 |
Thornton Jenkins, secretary
of the Light-House Board,
reports that lightships are
in need of “frequent and
expensive repairs” and will
soon have to be rebuilt or
replaced by lighthouses. |
|
1861 |
April: the Civil War begins
and plans to replace Roanoke
River Lightship are halted.
Later, the Confederate
States government in
Richmond takes control of
all light stations in
seceded states and appoints
Joseph Ramsey superintendent
of the Roanoke River
Lightships. |
|
1861 |
September: Ramsey hires a
steamboat to tow the
lightship upriver to
Williamston. The move is
made in response to an order
by Confederate officials to
prevent the lightship from
being a navigation aid to
federal ships. |
|
1866 |
The first Roanoke River
Lighthouse is built about
six miles downriver from
Plymouth, on the east side
of the channel in Batchelors
Bay off the Albemarle Sound.
Thomas Clifton is appointed
first keeper and William H.
Williams is assistant
keeper. |
|
1885 |
March: Fire started and
quickly raged through the
lighthouse, completely
destroying it. |
|
1885 |
Late summer: Lighthouse at
the mouth of the Roanoke put
into service. |
|
1886 |
January: Temperatures are so
cold for such a period of
time that the Albemarle
Sound freezes. Ice damages
the building beyond repair,
causing part of the
structure to become
submerged. |
|
|
A Temporary light is rigged
to replace the collapsed
structure. |
|
1886 |
September: Work begins on a
second Roanoke River
Lighthouse. |
|
1887 |
February: Keeper and crew
took charge while painters
finished last details of new
lighthouse. This is the
third Roanoke River
Lighthouse in two years. |
|
1950s |
This third lighthouse
remains in service until
being de-commissioned in the
early 1950s. It is bought
and removed to Edenton as a
private residence in 1955. |
|
completed 2003 |
A replica was built, using
the plans for the second
Roanoke River Lighthouse. |