-
-
- "A final inspection
was carried out by John Breen, Superintendent of the Fort Pulaski National
Monument, May 24th 2000. His report stated his satisfaction with the
work performed and that the goals of the Project had indeed been met."
- Almost as close to home as the Tybee Lighthouse is the
Cockspur Island Lighthouse. It's only accessible by boat, and even that can be
tricky at times. It sits on a small oyster bed just east of the main island at the mouth
of Lazaretto Creek, near Fort Pulaski National Monument. It and another small
"sister" Lighthouse once marked the south channel of the Savannah River. They
would guide ships from Tybee around Elba and Cockspur islands. The first tower on this
site was built in 1848, but was rebuilt in 1856 to this present structure. The light was
dark during the Civil War. The small lighthouse was right in the line
of fire of union artillery that won the battle of Fort Pulaski. The lighthouse
was reestablished in 1868. It was decommissioned in 1909
due to the South Channel silting up and become impassable by large
ships.
-
- I've been to this lighthouse many times
over the years but haven't been there since the restoration work was completed
in 2000. In 1994 a Historic Structure Assessment report completed by
SCAD masters candidate Judith Collins noted that "because of
metal exfoliation and deterioration of the brickwork, significant and
irreparable damage could occur within five years”.
-
This report showed the danger of loosing this lighthouse forever and finally
action was taken to preserve this treasure. Managers at Fort Pulaski
National Monument requested additional revenue from the National Park
Service to begin work. Also, citizens from around the nation began
sending in donations to augment these funds.
-
- Work began on phase one July 7th
1995. The cupola atop the beacon was removed for electrolytic
reduction, air abrasive cleaning, and painting. Due to its complexity
and oxidized conditions, preservation of the cupola would take approximately
two to three years. Harsh winter storms caused other setbacks.
In 1997, large waves smashed into the bow on the northeast side resulting in
the collapse of a 10-foot long section of masonry. In addition, the
entire lantern base wall collapsed leaving loose bricks inside the
lighthouse tube. Then in 1999, the entire outer staircase washed away
during unusually high tides. In the spring of 1999, Fort Pulaski
National Monument maintenance workers and historic masons with the National
Park Service’s Historic Preservation Training Center in Frederick,
Maryland began the job of putting the lighthouse back together.
-
- Remember that lantern cap that was removed
for electrolytic reduction, air abrasive cleaning, and painting? When
the process was completed, it was noted that there were several structural
cracks. So it was decided to have a replica made rather using the
original cap. The replica was made by the FLOTECH Corporation in
Jacksonville, Florida, and set in place on Cockspur Lighthouse on May 18,
2000. The masonry repairs were completed by the National Park Service
Historic Preservation Crew, along with the support of the Fort Pulaski
Maintenance Staff in February of 1999.
-
-
- Phase 2 of the restoration would involve
reconstruction of the exterior staircase, exterior brickwork, interior
cleaning and whitewashing of the exterior. A final inspection was
carried out by John Breen, Superintendent of the Fort Pulaski National
Monument, May 24th 2000. His report stated his satisfaction with the
work performed and that the goals of the Project had indeed been met.
-
- The best time to visit is about mid-point between high and low tide,
that way, you can see
all the underwater hazards but still have enough water to navigate.
Keep an eye on your boat once ashore, a few folks have had there boat float
away while in the lighthouse.
-
- I have not been over to Cockspur since the
work was completed, but on my last visit, you were greeted by a real
hazardous entry into the lighthouse over jagged slimy outside stairs. A real scary winding
staircase covered in slippery algae lead to the top. There was no
handrail, just an open staircase.
From there you would climb through a small hole in a metal plate and you
were at the top, looking
out as large cargo ships passed right in front of you. Everything
inside was covered in bird shit, so don't wear anything good!!!
Four years ago I had this headline on my
Cockspur Lighthouse page - Perhaps
it's time to have an all out effort to save the little Cockspur Island
Lighthouse, because without some help, it will surely be gone in a few
years." I am happy
to report that is no longer the case, recent efforts have reversed the
long period of decline that would have surely added this lighthouse to the
long list of Lost Lighthouses. Although there is more work to
do, for now Cockspur Island Lighthouse
has been saved.
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Thursday, February 16, 2006 10:27:59 PM