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Lighthouse Tour Scheduled for This Saturday
The Hudson River Maritime Museum announces the second in its five public lighthouse tours on Saturday, July 5, at 2pm. The first Saturday of the month, from June through October, has been set aside for these special tours of the Rondout II Lighthouse, which is actually the third one built at the mouth of Rondout Creek.
The first lighthouse was built in 1837, and was a wooden structure which became badly damaged by ice and water. The second lighthouse, constructed in 1867 of brick and stone, was abandoned in 1915; when its roof collapsed in 1954, it was demolished but its stone footings are still visible today.
Construction of this Rondout Lighthouse, the largest and last "family-occupied" lighthouse, was started in 1913; its light was first lit on August 25, 1915. Sitting on a man-made island, the buff-colored brick-faced, poured concrete structure has four-stories and a slate roof. The lantern tower is 52 feet above the river's surface, and the lantern is now powered by an inconspicuous solar panel.
Historically functioning as aides to navigation, these "light signals" were guides for safe arrival of not only vessels but also their passengers and goods into a port. A different and distinct combination of flash patterns shone at each port, allowing experienced mariners to know which lighthouse they were near.
The primary mission of the light keeper was "to never let the light go out". The keeper also had to record the supplies used; the sun's rise and setting; weather conditions; any visitors, rescues or unusual events. This kind of documentation provides a glimpse into the 19th and 20th century history of this bustling region along the Hudson River.
The cost for this charming ride on the "historic water highway" is $10 per person. Participants on previous excursions have reported seeing a variety of fauna such as turtles basking on logs; carp churning up water vegetation; cormorants walking on the rock jetty; and blue heron searching for aquatic snacks.
Advanced registration is required. The minimum for the "Estuary Steward" to run the July 5 tour is 15 people; the maximum capacity is 43.
For more information and/ or to reserve your space, please call 845-338-0071, ext. 16.
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