The Sharkfin Shoal Light was a screw-pile lighthouse located at the mouth of the Nanticoke River in Chesapeake Bay, US.

Sharkfin Shoal Light
Map
LocationSouthwest of Clay Island at the mouth of the Nanticoke River
Coordinates38°12′07″N 75°59′12″W / 38.2020°N 75.9868°W / 38.2020; -75.9868
Tower
Constructed1892 Edit this on Wikidata
Foundationscrew-pile
Constructioncast-iron/wood
Height44 feet (13 m)
Shapehexagonal house
Light
First lit1892
Deactivated1964
Focal height13.5 m (44 ft) Edit this on Wikidata
Lensfourth-order Fresnel lens
Characteristicwhite 6 sec flash with red sector

History

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This light was constructed in 1892 to replace the Clay Island Light to the northeast.

During an accident on 21 December 1947, two men, Charles E. Palmquist and G. F. Cotte, died by Tangier Island in a boat departed close by from Sharfin Shoal Light that "burned on the water's edge".[1][2] The investigation was led by Captain Morris G. Jory.[3] The posthumous investigation was led by Lieutenant Commander Joseph R. Scullion.[4]

Changed in 1950, the light pattern emitted from the lighthouse was altered to be "flashing every 10 seconds, flash two seconds, eclipse 8 seconds" with 600 white candlepower and 130 red candlepower.[5] The change came into effect on October 27, and was switched from a manually operated station to an unattended, automatic station.[6]

In 1964, the house was dismantled and a skeleton tower light placed on the foundation.

List of lightkeepers

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  • Henry C. Sterling (April 1901-?)[7]
  • (Assistant) Walter C. Carew (?-31 August 1904)[8]
  • (Assistant) Addison S. Hall (December 1909-?)[9]

References

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  1. ^ "Two Seamen Die in Boat Blaze". The Daily Times. 23 Dec 1947. p. 1. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  2. ^ "Two Believed Dead in Boat Fire". Richmond Times-Dispatch. 23 Dec 1947. p. 18. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  3. ^ "SEARCH FOR TWO MEN BELIEVED LOST IN SHIP FIRE CONTINUES". The Daily Review (Clifton Forge). 23 Dec 1947. p. 1. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  4. ^ "Two Men Believed Lost on Boat". Bristol Herald Courier. 23 Dec 1947. p. 8. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  5. ^ "Two Lights in Bay Will Be Converted". The Virginian-Pilot. 15 Sep 1950. p. 15. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  6. ^ "Sharkfin Local Light to Be Made Automatic". The Virginian-Pilot. 19 Oct 1950. p. 13. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  7. ^ "Changes in Lighthouse Keepers". The Baltimore Sun. 17 Apr 1901. p. 10. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  8. ^ "CHANGES ARE AUTHORIZED - Transfers and Appointments in Lighthouse Service". The Evening Star. 20 Aug 1904. p. 16. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  9. ^ "The Lighthouse Service". The Evening Star. 10 Dec 1909. p. 19. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
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