Assateague

Assateague Lighthouse
From Lillian Mears Rew

Assateague Lighthouse or Tower on the southerly part of Assateague Island and near Chincoteague Island is on a sand ridge rising about thirty-one feet above mean low water. Between the tower and the beach there is a large strip of pine trees and along the landward side, some salt marsh.

The distance of the tower from the nearest high water mark is about thirteen hundred feet.

The tower is a red brick concealed tower with a one story rectangular entrance built on a stone and concrete foundation about twelve feet deep, the lower part being of broken stone and concrete, according to Thomas L. Birch, a long time resident of the Wand. The thickness of the walls at the base is twenty-eight inches for the outside wall and seventeen inches for the inner walls. The diameter of the tower (described as polygonal) at the base is 27 feet 6 3/4 inches. The diameter of the tower just below the parapet is about fifteen feet. The diameter of the parapet well is 13 feet 7 inches.

The height of the tower from base to ventilator ball of the lantern is about 139 feet 6 inches. The height of the focal plan of the lantern above mean high water (on sea) is about 143 feet.

Iron braces from the bottom to the top of the tower are used to give added strength to the tower.

Latitude of the tower is 37 degrees 54 feet 40 inches and the longitude is 75 degrees 21 feet 23 inches.

The land was deeded to the government on May 4, 1832, for $333.33. The deed describes the land as follows: Viz-"All that piece of land on Assateague Island, in Accomack County, containing fifty acres and bounded by the remaining land of J. W. Winder and his children and the lands of Joseph Basher according to the annexed survey of Lewis Roger, D. S. of Accomack county."

The tower was built in 1833 for the sum of $55,000. In 1867 other alterations were made costing the government $1,000.00.

The kind of stairway and steps is a cast iron spiral stairway with six landings of stairways. Four large windows facing north and three windows facing south give light for each landing leading to the light in the tower.

The size of glass for glazing lower windows is 9 by 12 inches.

The number of windows in the tower, and size of sashes are as follows: eight double sash windows and the size of sash is 2 feet 6 inches x 4 feet 2 1/4 inches; there are two double sash windows in the entrance; sash 2 feet 7 3/4 inches x 4 feet 6 ½ inches.

Lantern and Lantern Fixtures

Polygonal or cylindrical-polygonal. Diameter, inscribed, to glass: 11 feet x 11-3/4 inches. Number of sides in plan-1t.

Height glazed, about 9 feet x 7-3/4 inches. Number of plates in height - 3; number of plates in each side - 3. Thickness of plates about one-fourth inch. Roof - copper with zinc lining. Ventilator ball - copper. Lighting-conductor spindle. This is the brass pinnacle of the lantern, which has a concealed platinum tipped point.

The watchroom is fitted with a wooden service table, a small chest for supplies, and a heating stove.

Illuminating Apparatus, etc.

Marks and number on apparatus - "Barbier and Fenestre, Paris, 1866." Characteristic of light shown by apparatus fixed white, with a fixed red sector between NNE 1/2 and NE bt 7/8 E.

Number of panels in the lens apparatus 8 (One is blank and the panel on each side is filled with a silver-plated reflector about 2' 3" x 3' 7")

Number of elements in each panel of central drum of the lens, 17. Number of prisms in each panel above the central drum of the lens, 18. Number of prisms in each panel below the central drum of the lens, 8. Pedestal-cast iron; diameter of shaft about 13-3/8.

Tube leading through the center of the upper metal ring of the lens into the ventilator ball, to carry off the gases of combustion and to assist in producing a proper draft in the lantern - of what material, diameter, and how fitted and connected with damper tube when in place: Brass, 5", supported by a 4-arm brass casting attached to upper ring of lens. To this casting is attached the "connecting tube" and to the connecting tube is attached the damper tube.

The standard plunger lamp with five burners to each lamp was used after the candlelight method.

Since 1933 the Assateague Light has been electrically operated. It has a bank of batteries and two generators. It requires about 15 hours a week in order to keep the batteries charged for the light to operate well.

The type of light used is known as the intermittent type. This type of light appears and disappears suddenly, with longer intervals than in a flashlight type.

One of the men from the Assateague Coast Guard Station takes care of the light in the tower as there is not a keeper to attend to this tower now.

The oil house or room made of brick, size 14 feet x 18 feet and located about 4 feet east of the tower, is no longer used for this purpose. The batteries are charged and other supplies are kept here.

The following keepers served this lighthouse and are now deceased:
Mr. David Watson
Mr. Tom Moore
Mr. Frank Jones
Mr. Samuel Quillen
Mr. Edgar Hopkins
Mr. John Anderton
Mr. Walter Wescott
Mr. William Collins
[By Mrs. Lillian Rew, Hallwood, VA]

(This information on the lighthouse was obtained for the Mariner's Museum, Newport News, and sent to them years ago. Since then, of course, the lighthouse has received regular electrical connections, but it still has a generator for use in case of emergencies.)

The Lighthouse Keeper's Quarters

The Keeper's Quarters was built in 1867 consisting of three large sections, large enough to house three families regardless of the size of each family.

Each section included a pantry, kitchen, dining room, living room, three bedrooms, bathroom, and large closet; porches were on both sides of the house.

The large home was located on a very high hill. It was a beautiful structure made of wood, surrounded by many beautiful bushes, small trees, and flowers.

In the spring, forsythia bushes, crowded with their yellow blooms, and white and yellow daffodils decorated the entire area and proclaimed that winter was past. Later purple and white lilacs gave forth their sweet aroma, and still later, the many white spirea bushes lent their touch of purity to the surroundings. What a beautiful sight of nature!

In this home the following families lived, namely:
Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Quillen and Children
Mr. & Mrs. John Ralph Anderton and Children
Mr. & Mrs. Walter Leroy Wescott and Family
Mr. & Mrs. Edgar Hopkins and Family.

For a short time Mr. George Massey came. Not liking the place, he soon left the Island, also Mr. William Parker (colored) came, but was soon transferred to the lighthouse known as Kallock Shoals located in Chincoteague Bay. Mr. Tom Moore also lived a short time with Mr. Samuel Quillen.

Back of the property, a huge building, wild fruits grew, including grapes, small and large plums, and cherries. There were also apples trees, holly trees, and many others.

To the south of the lighthouse home about 50 yards at the foot of the hill, another home was built of cement and bricks in order to make room for another keeper Mr. William Collins, his wife, and three children. Today this is the only original building left on Assateague besides the lighthouse.

It is now [at the time of the writing] the home of manager, Dennis F. Holland, who succeeded Mr. J. C. Appel, as manager of the United States Interior Department of Chincoteague and Wildlife Refuge Official of Assateague Island.