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Portland Breakwater Lighthouse - Maine
Available Framed or Unframed |
Portland Breakwater Lighthouse Fun Facts
Location: Portland Harbor/Casco Bay
Closest City: South Portland, Maine
Latitude: 43.6537 Longitude: -70.2373
Body of Water: Casco Bay
Open to Public: Yes
Station Established: 1855
Present Tower Activated: 1875
Status of Light: Deactivated, 1934
Tower Height: 13 ft.
Optic: Sixth Order Fresnel, 1855
National Register Reference #: 73000238
Listing Name: Portland Breakwater Light
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The Portland Breakwater lighthouse, commonly referred to as the "Bug Light", was constructed 24 years after a massively destructive storm wrecked most of Portland Harbor in 1831. The storm's wrath caused flooding from Cumberland & Oxford Canal, ripped ships from moorings, and partially destroyed Vaughan's Bridge. Within a year, the federal government ordered a seawall be constructed. The recommended solution was to build a 2,500 foot-long breakwater, consisting of seven distinct sections, to be built using 50,000 cubic yards of stone and rubble which was to be available on nearby islands. It was not until 1835 that $10,000 was approved by Congress to start building the first four hundred feet. Another $50,000 was appropriated over the next two years and, by 1837, the breakwater was 1,765 feet long.
It wasn't until 1855, 24 years after the devastating storm that initiated the idea of constructing the Portland Breakwater lighthouse, that the Lighthouse Board approved the funding to building an octagonal light tower twenty-five feet over high tide with a sixth order Fresnel lens. The tower was completed and lit within four months.
The Portland Breakwater lighthouse hosted six different keeper's in its first 12 years, primarly because of the hazardous task of getting to and from the tower. In cold winter weather, the breakwater's rubblestone became icy and difficult to maneuver without slipping. Keeper's were often reduced to crawling the entire length of the breakwater during storms to minimize the risk of falling into Portland Harbor. Additionally, the height of the breakwater was not sufficient to protect those traversing the path from waves breaking over at full tide, guaranteeing the keeper would be soaked by freezing cold water and further adding to the treachery.
The breakwater was reinforced and raised with 2,750 tons of new granite in 1872. By that time, the original tower had more than paid its dues to Maine's stormy coastal weather and, in 1874, was replaced by a 13 foot cast-iron tower built in the image of the greek Choragic Monument of Lysicrates, complete with fluted columns. Handrails were also installed the entire length of the breakwater.
An eighteen foot by twenty foot two-room keeper's quarters was erected next to the tower in 1889. Over the next ten years, an attic and two additional rooms were added. The house was actually wider than the breakwater and overhung Portland Harbor for a period of time until additional stone was piled around the tower and house at a later date.
In 1935, the Portland Breakwater lighthouse was automated. The keeper's residence was removed shortly thereafter. During World War 2, Portland Harbor was significantly developed to support the high-volume building of Liberty ships. Once the shipyards were fully built out, the Portland Breakwater lighthouse was only 100 feet from shore. In July of 1942, the light was extinguished as a wartime precaution and was not relit.
The tower sat undisturbed until 1990 when the Bicentennial Lighthouse Fund, Maine Historic Preservation Commission, and South Portland - Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club pooled efforts to raise $26,000 for structural repairs and painting. The sixth order Fresnel lens, which was removed in 1993, was replaced with a modern 250mm optic in 2002 when the tower was renovated and the light relit. The site is owned by the Town of South Portland and is now part of Bug Light Park.
Lighthouse Accessibility
- The Portland Breakwater lighthouse site is open to the
public. (207-767-7650).
- The lighthouse is located in Bug Light Park in the Town of
South Portland.
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