Each year the club has donated money to help with the restoration of the Presqu’ile Point lighthouse. What follows is an update on the restoration project written by member Al Hallworth, who has been involved with the restoration process. Please read it to the end for the big surprise that will happen late this spring.–TW
A NEW LOOK FOR OUR LIGHTHOUSE
When I first sailed into Presqu’ile Bay in 2003, on my maiden “Round the County” solo cruise in my “Coupon Clipper”, (my beloved Northern 29), I had to admire the lighthouse perched at the eastern end of Presqu’ile Park. And although it looked rundown at the time, with aged and rotting shingles on its eight sides, it was still an important landmark for me.
Others recognized its sad condition, too, and fortunately, an ambitious group of community-minded folk decided that such an icon for the Town of Brighton needed some attention. After all, the original structure was well over 150 years old (the second oldest operational lighthouse in Ontario), having been built in 1840, and having received a facelift in 1894 with total expenditures of only~$1600.
With cold winter winds, driving rain and snow, and direct blazing sun, much more work was needed again.
In 2017, an engineering study was undertaken which determined that there was considerable cracking of the original limestone, probably the result of movement and deterioration in the first 40-50 years of the lighthouse’s operation. However, the wooden girdle and steel tie-rods installed in 1894 were still in good condition, and it was decided to proceed with re-cladding the exterior.
In 2018, the entire lighthouse was cocooned in scaffolding, so that new, white, composite shingles could be installed.
In the spring of 2019, the sheet metal skirt at the bottom of the lighthouse was removed and replaced with new, 24-gauge steel, factory-painted in polar white. Then, later in 2019, the beautiful stone foundation was sand-blasted and re-pointed to prevent any further cracking from freezing/thawing water.
In total, to date, the Presqu’ile Point Lighthouse Preservation Society (PPLPS) has spent ~$650,000 for all of the above work, money donated mostly from private citizens. Our lighthouse now just glistens on a sunny day, and we can all rest assured that it will do so for another 150 years.
BUT WAIT …………….there is one important feature still missing…..the flashing light and cupola at the top:
The original light in 1840 was fired with kerosene, and the lighthouse keepers who lived on-site carried the fuel to the top of this 90-foot structure each day. But in 1965, the Canadian Coast Guard took ownership of the light and installed a 175-watt halogen light that is visible from 11 miles out (~Scotch Bonnet). At the same time, the original double-curved, domed cupola strangely disappeared. (Note: according to local legend, it lies under 35 feet of water SE of the lighthouse.)
In 2023, an elegant new cupola will be installed at the top of the lighthouse, powder-coated in bright red, with glass windows surrounding the halogen on seven sides. This new aluminum weldment was designed by an engineer who specializes in historical restorations, and it will duplicate the original from 1840. It will be a thing of beauty.
So….as you cruise around Presqu’ile Bay this summer, wander out into Lake Ontario, or sail to Rochester, please salute and admire our rebuilt, statuesque, Presqu’ile Point Lighthouse. It is a beacon that provides such a valuable service to us all…………………..Alan Hallworth