Circling the Bay - Lighthouse Style!

June 1, 2014

Each night while we were sitting outside enjoying sunsets on the bay, we noted that there was a bright light just upstream from where we were on a point of Prudence Island which was located across the bay from us.  We were finally able to get a shot of what we believe is a lighthouse but is undocumented as such.  We have a picture (see below) and will continue to research this and get back with everyone as to its status.

Unknown Marker across the bay from our RV Site

So Sunday was a beautiful day and we started out early by heading north about 2 ½ miles to a vantage point on the bank of the bay were we could see the Prudence Island Lighthouse across the water.  The thirty foot tall granite tower is the oldest lighthouse in Rhode Island, and one of the few lighthouses in the country to retain a bird cage lantern.  It was originally built in 1823 on Goat Island, was dismantled and moved in 1851 to Sandy Point on the east side of Prudence Island.  It returned to service in January 1852.

Prudence Island Lighthouse

 

The next lighthouse, Bristol Ferry, is located under the Mount Hope River Bridge.  Built in 1854, it was first lit in 1855.  It has been retired since 1930 when the opening of the bridge made it redundant.  It is now a private residence.

Bristol Ferry Lighthouse

The Hog Island Shoal lighthouse is located on Hog Island which about 200 acres just off shore from Bristol Township.  Early settlers kept hogs and other livestock on the island because it was protected from predators and the animals could not wander off.  However, just south of the island was a dangerous shoal and narrow bay at that point, necessitated a lighthouse to warm mariners.  Bristol Ferry lighthouse guided them to the passage, while Hog Island kept them from going aground on the shoal.  Construction of the lighthouse began in 1901.  The lighthouse was put up for auction in 2006 and it was purchased for $165,000.

Hog Island Shoal Lighthouse

 

Nayatt Point Lighthouse marks the narrow channel  between Nayatt Point and the reef off of Conimicut Point.  Although greatly expanded, the original brick house still stands today and is the oldest keepers dwelling still standing in Rhode Island. 

Nayatt Point Lighthouse

 

The Pomham Rocks Lighthouse is located on a large rock on the east side of the Providence River.  This lighthouse went into operation December 1871, was retired in 1974 and replaced by a skeleton tower which continues to show a fixed red light to mariners.  In 1980 the original lighthouse was put up for auction, and with a high bid of $40.100 by Exxon Mobile who now leases it to the American Lighthouse Foundation and Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse.  The corporation also donated $50,000 for restoration of the lighthouse.  The lighthouse was relit in 2006 after the completion of the restoration. 

Pomham Rocks Lighthouse

 

We next drove to the Conimicut Lighthouse which is located on a reef between Rocky Point and Nayatt Point.  Its construction allowed the Nayatt Point Lighthouse to be discontinued. 

Conimicut Lighthouse

 

Our final lighthouse of the day was the Warwick Lighthouse located on Warwick Neck.  First built in 1826, with the keepers house added in 1833.  A new tower was built in 1932 due to eroding ground.  In 1939, the tower was moved again to its present day location.  The lighthouse still operates today and is on the grounds of a Coast Guard Station.  It was the last Rhode Island lighthouse to be automated.

Warwick Lighthouse

 

We ended the day relaxing and watching one of the most amazing sunsets we have seen so far on this leg of the journey.

Rhode Island is an amazing state to visit.  Full of quaint towns, beautiful mansions,  an unending coastline, nice people, and amazing sunsets!.  We hope we have the opportunity to return to visit again  as there is so much to more to see and do!

No Goats on Goat Island.....now.......

We arose early on Saturday, May 31st and after breakfast, we headed to Goat Island to begin our lighthouse quest for the day. The first thing we saw when we arrived in the area was the number of boats moored at the docks, in dry dock, and anchored in the water.  Everything from large schooners to personal cabin cruisers and small sport boats.  They were all very impressive! 

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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No Power, No Wi-Fi, No Problem........NOT!

We arrived at the Newport Naval Station RV Park, Friday, May 30th, around 10:30 AM.  This is a very small facility.  Small as in there are only six (6) RV sites in the whole park!  There was no one there but us the whole weekend (until late Sunday night).  We had a wonderful location with a gorgeous view of Narragansett  Bay.  The bay was full of sailboats, which are very popular in the area, and also a few luxury cabin cruisers.  We were on Site #1 which allotted us a big back yard which was absolutely heaven to Lacy.  We played frisbee until the cows came home, and then some! 

After setting up and having a leisurely lunch, we decided to go the Navy Exchange and Commissary to pick up a few items we needed.  When we got to base we first stopped at the Recreation Center to pick up our contract for our stay at the RV park......where we found out that the whole Naval Station had been without electric since about 11:15 in the morning.   There was a WI-FI Café on the Naval station which we were hoping to utilize so we could blog,  but with no power, they too were closed...... So we went back to the RV and waited a couple of hours and returned to the Naval station to find out that the base was still without power.  So the decision was made to return to the Naval station the next day after seeing a few lighthouses.

The RV park at the Naval Station was minimal as far as services provided.  No wifi, and no sewer, but we did have water and electric.  Can't complain too much as the view was priceless, and the cost was great - in fact, they did not charge us for our final night stay as there was so much confusion with the power issue and trying to find our contract - which was never found........

This part of Rhode Island is absolutely stunning!  There were a lot of opportunities to take awesome pictures, so many in fact that we finally decided to just enjoy the moments and take it all in.......it was just one of those you had to be there experiences.  Those of you that have visited the Newport, R.I. area are aware of the possibilities............... 

Here are a few pictures for your enjoyment.....

More blogs to come, but may have to find a wi-fi café or McDonald's as it takes forever to download at our current RV park!

Welcome to Rhode Island

 

The RV Park - Empty except for the Turtle!

 

 

 The "Turtle" at the Naval Station RV Park

The Back Yard

 

 

"Murphy" - Lacy's new friend!

 

 

Lunch break RC Racers on the road in front of the RV Park!

 

Lacy checking out the back yard!

 

An interesting sunset on the bay! Our view from the back porch!