On April 10, 2009 my son David and i went to the St Michaels Maritime Museum in St Michaels, MD. It is on the Chesapeake Bay.
They have a lighthouse that originally was in the bay but it has been removed. Because of the advances in boat electronics and GPS positioning, lighthouses are becoming obsolete.
This is the Hooper Straight Lighthouse that was in the Bay.
The only two pictures that I took in the lighthouse were the workbench and a table.
This is the lens that is in the top of the lighthouse.
It was lit by a flame from some mineral oil. It originally used fuel oil but in some testing it was determined that the mineral oil gave a brighter light.
Sorry I failed to take a picture of the lighthouse itself.
it had three water storage tanks that were made with wooden slats. The water to fill them came from rain water that ran off the roof. The spigot at the bottom dropped it’s dripping water into a funnel in the floor that dropped the water into the bay.
Boats borough supplies once a month. Everything but food. The food was bought by the lighthouse keeper from a food allowance that was given to him and he had to bring it himself.
-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
10 comments so far
Karson
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#1 posted 1531 days ago
Nothing was said about that. I’m not really sure how the lighthouse was placed in the bay. Wheather it was on the bay bottom with screws or whether it was on a little island that was build around the base.
The write up states that was out in the water as remote as a desert island. But, it was placed where a known sandbar caused navigation problems.
-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
lew
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#2 posted 1531 days ago
Karson,
Very interesting trip! The Bay is filled with historical sites and stuff to see. Hope you ate some oysters while you were there!!!!!
Lew
-- Lew- Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!
cabinetmaster
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#3 posted 1530 days ago
Great story Karson. I love to see those old lighthouses myself. Always try to visit some when we get to the Carolina coast.
-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps
jeffthewoodwacker
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#4 posted 1530 days ago
Karson – great blog!! Those boats look like they are built and restored with tender loving care. Not sure if my workshop could handle that project.
-- Those that say it can't be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.
Karson
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#5 posted 1530 days ago
Most of these babies are done outside. The Boat shop is where they are making the small rowboats.
-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
dustyal
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#6 posted 1530 days ago
One of our favorite spots to visit. I’ve got pictures of the classic wood boats… but none of the workbench in the lighthouse.
-- Al H. - small shop, small projects...
Karson
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#7 posted 1530 days ago
Al I don’t remember the workbench in previous visits. I’m wondering if it’s new this year.
-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
Lee A. Jesberger
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#8 posted 1529 days ago
Nice post Karson.
I bet David had a great time.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
lance
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#9 posted 1528 days ago
Thanks Karson and David R for the history lesson. Floss and I spend a weekend in quaint old St Michael’s about 30 years ago. Oh! where have the years gone???
Happy Easter Monday you’ll,
-- Bob Lance, DE
Napaman
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#10 posted 1526 days ago
we stayed at Pigeon Pt. lighthouse near Santa Cruz CA a couple years ago—-they turned the grounds in to a youth hostel…and it was great…
Good stuff karson!!!
-- Matt--Proud LJ since 2007
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