Scenes from the harbor:
The first lighthouse we saw on Goat Island was the Newport Harbor Lighthouse.
The Newport Harbor Lighthouse may not be the best known light in Newport Harbor, but its place in history is unchallenged as the first beacon to guide mariners into the bustling Newport of the early 1800's. The lighthouse stands on Goat Island, so named because early Newport residents pastured their goats there, and is known locally as Goat Island Lighthouse. This lighthouse has overseen massive changes to Newport and its harbor over the last two hundred years. The lighthouse was
completed in 1823, and activated on New Year's Day 1824.
The Newport Harbor Lighthouse.
The second lighthouse was just down the street from the Newport Harbor Lighthouse - the Ida Lewis Lighthouse. It was formally known as Lime Rock Light. The rock itself is owned by the Ida Lewis Yacht Club and not much remains of the original lighthouse. As you can see from the picture, only the building is still standing, no light. A big disappointment for sure.
Ida Lewis Lighthouse - What is left of it....
The final lighthouse on Goat Island was the Castle Hill
Lighthouse. This lighthouse is located
in a very picturesque location and required a short hike to reach. This lighthouse is one of a number of navigational
aids for ship traffic bound for Newport or Providence, Rhode Island. The lighthouse was completed in 1890 and has
been used numerous times as an ending or beginning for the famous yacht races
taking place in Newport.
Castle Hill Lighthouse
We then moved on to Conanicut Island and the village of Jamestown to see
three more lighthouses. The first was
the Dutch Island Lighthouse. This
lighthouse was seen from across the water and is located on Dutch Island. We viewed it from the Fort Getty Park. The lighthouse was built in 1826. It was built of stone and slate extracted
from the island. In 2007 the lighthouse
was restored by the Dutch Island Lighthouse Association.
Dutch Island Lighthouse
Next we visited the Beavertail Lighthouse. The current lighthouse is the second
lighthouse built in the area. The first
one was located close to the cliffs and the second one was moved back further
from the cliffs to avoid erosion issues. The keepers house is a museum but it
was not open when we were there. The
rising importance of shipping to the colony of Rhode Island in the early
1700’s, led to the construction of the lighthouse at Beavertail. In order to pay for the lighthouse, every
incoming ship was charged taxes on their
cargo. A thriving maritime economy
revolved around the notorious trade triangle. Rhode Island ships exported rum to
Africa, brought slaves to the West
Indies which were then traded for molasses and sugar which was then shipped to
Rhode Island.
Beavertail Lighthouse
Foundation of original lighthouse
From the Beavertail Lighthouse, we then drove to the
Conanicut Island Lighthouse on the northern tip of the island. This lighthouse is now a private residence
which was suppose to become a Bed and Breakfast, but this has not happened to
date. The lantern room is missing off
the tower, but the walk rail remains intact.
This was a difficult picture to take, due to trees, but we were able to
get one…..
Conanicut Island Lighthouse
The Rose Island Lighthouse was the last lighthouse viewed
today. It is located in the middle of
the bay, under a bridge and the only way to see the lighthouse is to go by boat
or off the bridge – in a moving car – and hope for the best. We chose the latter and we apologize in
advance for a somewhat poor quality picture……..
Rose Island was used by both the British and the Colonial troops at
different times, to guard Newport Harbor.
Fort Hamilton was under construction on the island but never
finished. During WW1 and WWII, the
island had a torpedo manufacturing plant.
The lighthouse was first lit January 1870 to keep ships from running
into the island.
Rose Island Lighthouse - Picture taken in a moving car on a bridge......
The day ended by returning to the Naval Station to go do the
shopping we did not get to do the day before due to the power outage. Back at the RV site, we relaxed, played with
Lacy and watched the sunset on the bay.
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