Going Back In Time....

Today we were delayed in getting out to explore as they were doing road work in front of the RV Park where we are staying and had the road blocked.  But we finally were able to exit the park and we headed to Plymouth, MA. to see Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower II.  We knew we would not be able to see lighthouses in the area as they are located about six miles out from shore.  I must say, I always envisioned Plymouth Rock as a huge rock, and I was somewhat disappointed that it was simply a large boulder!  That is not to downgrade the importance of the rock, but I guess I was really disillusioned or did not study history as I should have.........shame on me! As we all know, Plymouth Rock is the traditional site of disembarkation of William Bradford and the Mayflower Pilgrims who founded the Plymouth Colony in 1620.  The first written reference to the rocks existence was recorded in 1715 and is described in the town boundary records as "a great rock". 

Plymouth Rock

Close to  the site of the Plymouth Rock, can be found the Mayflower II, a replica of the original Mayflower. This ship sailed from England in 1957 and is docked at the State Pier in Plymouth. The Mayflower Facts:  Dutch Cargo ship, 180 tons, 100-110 feet in length, 4 decks, carried 135 people to Plymouth with a crew of 50.

Mayflower II

Our first lighthouse visited today was the Clark's Point Lighthouse located at Fort Taber, MA.  The original lighthouse was paid for and constructed by the local whale oil merchants, to guide the ships into New Bedford, MA.  In 1854, sperm whale oil at todays prices was $35 a gallon.  Thus, it was important that this cargo be protected entering port.  Eventually, the U.S. government decided to build and maintain a permanent light at this location in 1804.  Later, it was deemed necessary to build a fort to protect the harbor, and over the years it encompassed the lighthouse, causing it to be repositioned at the top of the fort.  Clark's Point light was extinguished in 1898.  The City of New Bedford restored the lighthouse and it went back into operation June 15, 2001.

Clark's Point Lighthouse

 

Close to the Clark's Point Lighthouse was the Butler Flats Lighthouse.  This light is situated on a mucky shoal at the mouth of New Bedford harbor.  While the Clark's Point light directed ships to the harbor, the Butler Flats Lighthouse kept them from going aground in the channel.  This light was build in 1898 and is still active today.  Butler Flats Lighthouse is currently believed to be the only lighthouse flying a lighted U.S flag 24 hours a day. On May 15, 2012, it was made available under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act and an on-line auction will be held sometime this year. (Jim - Can you buy this for me?  Please? Pretty Please?)

 

Butler Flats Lighthouse

 

Also located in New Bedford is the Palmer Island Lighthouse.  (This one is cute!)  This lighthouse was first lit in 1849.  This light guides ships into the harbor.  In 1999, after a total restoration, the lighthouse was returned to full operation.

 

Palmer Island Lighthouse

 

 

From New Bedford we traveled to Mattapoisett, MA. to view the Ned's Point Lighthouse.  The town is best known as a center for ship building and whaling.  The ship "Acushnet" the ship that Moby Dick author Herman Melville sailed on and later deserted, was built in this town.  The lighthouse is used to guide ships into the Mattapoisett harbor.  The lighthouse is now under the care of the Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 63 - America's oldest Flotilla! It was built in 1837.  In 1996 the tower was renovated by the Coast Guard Auxiliary and remains the smallest working lighthouse on Buzzard's Bay.

Ned's Point Lighthouse

 

 



 The final lighthouse for the day was the Bird Island Lighthouse.  To view this lighthouse we had to drive to Marion, MA., around the back of the Kitanset Golf Club.  This is a beautiful area with large estates on the shores of the Atlantic and a beautiful view of the lighthouse.  This lighthouse is believed to be one of the oldest original structures.  Other lighthouse sites may be older, but their structures have been either replaced or rebuilt.  Bird Island was built in 1819 and is owned by the town of Marion.  The 1.5 acre island is habitat for nearly one-third of North America's endangered roseate terns

 

Bird Island Lighthouse

 

 

Here are a few miscellaneous pictures from today:

 

 Memorial  - Honoring all women in military service!

First one we have seen specifically honoring military women.

 

 Boats in dry dock in New Bedford

 

No explanation needed..........

 

 

Mural inside retro Mc Donald's

 

 

A mother duck with her ducklings at Plymouth Rock







 

 

 Lacy's new friend at the RV Park - actually it is one of many in the park!

 

 

Tomorrow we head to Rhode Island to view some lighthouses we did not get to see earlier in our trip.  We will be staying on the Navy Base in Newport, and they do not have wi-fi at the campground, so we may not be able to post our blog tomorrow or the next day.  We will blog and have it ready to upload for your reading pleasure as soon as we can find a Wi-Fi location!