Minots Ledge Lighthouse

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Minots Ledge Light

(Cohasset, Massachusetts)

After numerous ships had been lost on the rock ledges off of Cohasset, Massachusetts the Boston area lighthouse inspector, I.W.P. Lewis compiled a report describing the need for a new lighthouse. He was successful in convincing Stephen Pleasonton, the Treasury Department Fifth Auditor, who was then in charge of America’s lighthouses and funding was approved.

Construction of the first Minots Ledge Light began in 1847 and was completed and lit on January 1, 1850. Since the lighthouse was being built out in the Atlantic Ocean with no protection from the force of ocean storms, the lighthouse was built using many individual iron legs upon which the “house” sat. The idea was that fierce winds and waves would flow freely between the legs. This, however, was not the case and during rough seas the lighthouse structure would sway back and forth. It was so bad, in fact, that the first lighthouse keeper quit when his plea for the tower to be strengthened went unheeded. He made the right move because on the night of April 16, 1851, while the primary keeper was on shore, the lighthouse structure collapsed during a storm and both assistant lighthouse keepers were killed.

Until a new lighthouse could be built, lightships were used. The first was brought up from New Jersey (the Old Brandy Wine) and was later replaced by a new lightship called Minots Ledge Lightship. These lightships were used from 1851 to 1860.

Not wanting another disaster, the design of the next lighthouse was carefully planned. The design was patterned after the Eddystone light in England and utilized interlocking granite blocks weighing as much as two tons each. Construction of the new lighthouse began on June 20, 1855. This is the lighthouse that stands today.

One of the most important steps was the preparation of the rock ledge. This was difficult and time consuming since the ledge was only above water during low tide. The holes from the original tower were deepened and eight rods were driven into the ledge to secure the granite blocks.

The first 40 feet of the tower is almost solid granite with the center hollowed out for use as a fresh water holding tank. Above that, beginning where the entrance door is, are five floors used for storage and keeper’s quarters. Above that is the watchroom, and the lantern room.

The tower was completed in August 22, 1860. The height is 97 feet tall and was initially equipped with a second order Fresnel lens. The lighthouse was officially lit for the beginning of service on November 15, 1860. A new optic was installed in 1893 with a distinctive 1-4-3 flash. This became associated with the phrase “I love you” based on the number of letters in each word (1-4-3). Hence, the light was given the nickname of the “I love you light”. The light was automated in 1947 and the Fresnel lens replaced.

During 1987 and 1988 the light received major repairs including the replacement of the entire watchroom and the replacement of interior floors. The light was also converted to solar power. Six 12-volt batteries are recharge from a solar panel during the sunlit days to power the MaxLumina ML300 lantern at night. The lantern contains a 6 bulb lamp changer that automatically changes the bulb should one burn out. This light is only visible from a distance of five miles. A remote controlled fog horn is installed on the tower that is operated when a radio signal is received from the nearby Boston Light when fog is detected in the area.

The tower still stands today after 130 years of service. It has withstood many ocean storms that at times have caused waves to sweep over the top of the lighthouse.

Seeing the light: Although distant views are possible from the beach in Cohasset, it is best view from a boat. Lighthouses cruises are sponsored by the Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands that bring you close by this impressive lighthouse.

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