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{{short description|Lighthouse in Michigan, United States}}
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'''Charity Island Light''' is a lighthouse in Lake Huron just off the coast of ], ] ]. In 1838, the region was the source of a large amount of ] being removed from Lower Michigan via the rivers that enter the lower end of ]. The ]s around ] were a major source of problems, and a considerable quantity of lumber didn't make it to its intended destination of New York. It was not until 1856, however, that funds were allocated to establish a light on the island.
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'''Charity Island Light''' is a lighthouse in Lake Huron just off the coast of ], ]. In 1838, the region was the source of a large amount of ] being removed from Lower Michigan via the rivers that enter the lower end of ]. The ]s around ] were a major source of problems, and a considerable quantity of lumber didn't make it to its intended destination of New York. It was not until 1856, however, that funds were allocated to establish a light on the island.
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The octagonal cast iron lantern displayed a fixed white Fourth Order ] ] which was constructed in 1857 with a 39-foot tower which provided a 13-mile range of visibility. The Lighthouse Board was in the process of constructing a set of lights up and down the coast, and 13 miles was considered adequate both to keep boats off the island and to navigate from one light to the next. <ref></ref>
+
The ] was constructed in 1857 with a 39-foot tower which provided a 13-mile range of visibility. The Lighthouse Board was in the process of constructing a set of lights up and down the coast, and 13 miles was considered adequate both to keep boats off the island and to navigate from one light to the next.
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The light has been abandoned since 1939 when ] was lit, and it is rapidly falling apart. The Charity Island Preservation Committee of the Arenac County Historical Society is restoring the tower.<ref></ref> The original keeper's house has been razed, and a new private residence has been built in its place.
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The light has been abandoned since 1939 when ] was lit, and it is rapidly falling apart. The Charity Island Preservation Committee of the Arenac County Historical Society is restoring the tower. The original keeper's house has been razed, and a new private residence has been built in its place.
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Phyllis Tag of Great Lakes Lighthouse Research has documented the full list of keepers of the light.<ref></ref>
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Phyllis Tag of Great Lakes Lighthouse Research has documented the full list of of the light.
It is hard to get close enough to this light to see it. Lake Huron is quite shallow and rocky, and the light is too far out to see from shore. Getting a boat near it requires either oars or considerable care.
It is hard to get close enough to this light to see it. Lake Huron is quite shallow and rocky, and the light is too far out to see from shore. Getting a boat near it requires either oars or considerable care.


{{Infobox lighthouse
==External links==
| image_name = CharityIsland.jpg
| caption = Historic deteriorated Charity Island Light (before the rebuilding)
*
| location = Big ], ]
| coordinates = {{coord|44|01|53|N|83|26|08|W|region:US_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
* - Lighthouse Photographs, History, Directions and Waypoints for this Lighthouse
| yearbuilt = 1857
| yearlit = 1857
| yeardeactivated = 1939
| construction = Brick
| shape = ] of a ]
| marking = White with black lantern<ref name="USCG">{{cite uscghist|MI}}</ref>
| height = {{convert|45|ft|}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/lists/towers.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000918211817/http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/lists/towers.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2000-09-18 |author=Pepper, Terry |work=Seeing the Light |title=Database of Tower Heights |publisher=terrypepper.com }}</ref>
| focalheight = {{convert|45|ft}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/lists/focalheight.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830100452/http://www.terrypepper.com/Lights/lists/focalheight.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2008-08-30 |author=Pepper, Terry |work=Seeing the Light |title=Database of Focal Heights |publisher=terrypepper.com }}</ref><ref></ref>
| lens = Fourth-order ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/lists/distribution.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000918211807/http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/lists/distribution.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2000-09-18 |author=Pepper, Terry |work=Seeing the Light |title=Database of Original Lenses |publisher=terrypepper.com }}</ref>
| range = {{convert|13|nmi}}
}}
'''Charity Island Light''' is a ] on Big ] in ] just off the coast of ], ].<ref>, The Michigan Lighthouse Fund</ref>

==History==
In 1838, the region was the source of ] being removed from Lower Michigan via the rivers that enter the lower end of ]. The ]s around ] were a major source of problems, posing an obstacle to lumber vessels. It was not until 1856,<ref> {{ISBN|0-9747977-1-5}}; {{ISBN|978-0-9747977-1-7}}.</ref> however, that funds were allocated to establish a light on the island.<ref name="TerryPepper">, Seeing The Light, Terry Pepper</ref>

The ]al ] lantern displayed a fixed white Fourth Order ] ] which was constructed in 1857<ref name="Beacons">, Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University</ref> with a {{convert|39|ft|adj=on}} tower which provided a {{convert|13|nmi|adj=on}} range of visibility. The Lighthouse Board was in the process of constructing a set of lights up and down the coast, and 13 nautical miles was considered adequate both to keep boats off the island and to navigate from one light to the next.<ref name="TerryPepper"/>

It was originally equipped with a white, Fourth Order Fresnel lens. Fourth order Fresnel lenses were {{convert|28|in}}, with a focal length of {{convert|9.8|in}}, and used {{convert|5|oz}} of oil per hour. Although a lens in that configuration had a range of up to {{convert|15|nmi}}, the Charity Island lens had a range of 13 nautical miles. In 1900, an acetylene lens replaced the 4th order lens. The lights characteristic changed from steady white light to a flashing light, at 10 second intervals. "Charity Island lighthouse was the first on the Great Lakes to receive such a light<ref name="Bostwick"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311175249/http://lighthouse.boatnerd.com/gallery/Huron/CharityIsl.htm |date=2012-03-11 }}, ].</ref>

The light was fully automated in 1900.<ref name="Beacons"/>

The original ]’s quarters was a wood ]; attached by a walkway was the tower.<ref name="USCG"/> In 1907, the tower was extended to {{convert|45|ft}} and the dwelling gained a second story. In 1917 the site was the first to be automated with an ].<ref name="News">] </ref>

The light was abandoned since 1939 when ] was lit, and it rapidly fell apart. It wound up on the Lighthouse Digest "]"<ref>{{cite rowlett|miel}}</ref> and required rehabilitation.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614083403/http://www.lighthousedepot.com/lite_digest.asp?action=get_article&sk=112 |date=2011-06-14 }}, ], November, 1995.</ref>

The Nature Conservancy is said to own the tower.<ref></ref>

Alternatively, another source states that the tower is owned by the ] and operated by the Arenac County Historical Society.<ref name="Maritime">], </ref>

==Present status==
The Charity Island Preservation Committee of the Arenac County Historical Society is restoring the tower.<ref></ref> The original keeper's house was razed, and a new restored private residence has been built in its place and on its foundation.<ref name="Maritime"/><ref></ref> It is being operated as a restaurant and a ].<ref name="Bostwick"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://bandb.about.com/cs/uniquegetaways/a/lighthouses_2.htm |title=Lighthouses as bed and breakfasts. |access-date=2009-10-18 |archive-date=2009-03-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301121419/http://bandb.about.com/cs/uniquegetaways/a/lighthouses_2.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> A full list of past keepers of the light is maintained for historical reference.<ref>, Great Lakes Lighthouse Research, Phyllis Tag</ref>

==Access==
It is hard to get close enough to this light to see it. In this area, Lake Huron is quite shallow and rocky, and the light is too far out to be seen from shore. Getting a boat near it requires a motor, oars or a long paddle, and considerable care.

However, tours of the island (and dinner cruises) are commercially available on vessels named the ''Catamaran'' and the ''North Star''.<ref name="Bostwick"/><ref name="News"/> They include the privately owned and recently rebuilt Charity Island Light ]'s house and a passing view of ].<ref name="Bostwick"/> They are available from Charity Island Transport, Inc. in ], on the mainland, south of ].<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427081434/http://www.charityisland.net/ferry.html |date=2016-04-27 }}</ref>


* at Seeing the Light by Terry Pepper.
* - Provides locations for this and other lights in the area.
*
* - Lighthouse Photographs, History, Directions and Way points for this Lighthouse
*
*Michigan.gov website has a .
*
*
*
==Notes==
{{reflist}}
==Bibliography and further reading==
*
* Penrod, John, ''Lighthouses of Michigan'', (Berrien Center, Michigan: Penrod/Hiawatha, 1998) ISBN 9780942618785 ISBN 9781893624238.
* Wagner, John L., ''Michigan Lighthouses: An Aerial Photographic Perspective'', (East Lansing, Michigan: John L. Wagner, 1998) ISBN 1880311011 ISBN 9781880311011.
* Wright, Larry and Wright, Patricia, ''Great Lakes Lighthouses Encyclopedia'' Hardback (Erin: Boston Mills Press, 2006) ISBN 1550463993.
==See also== ==See also==
*] *]


==References==
{{reflist|33em}}


==Further reading==
]
*Harrison, Tim (editor of ] and President of the American Lighthouse Foundation), (September, 2009) ''Ghost Lights of Michigan'' (Rare historic images and text on Michigan's lost and obscure lighthouse, including bonus chapters on lightships and lighthouse tenders.) East Machias, Maine: Foghorn Publishing, {{ISBN|978-0-9778293-3-0}}.

==External links==
]
* {{ARLHS link}}
* - Visiting the island
* by LighthousesRus
* from Michigan.gov
*
*
*
* {{cite uscgll|7||}}

{{Lighthouses of Michigan}}

{{authority control}}

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Latest revision as of 01:31, 14 August 2023

Lighthouse in Michigan, United States Lighthouse
Charity Island Light
Historic deteriorated Charity Island Light (before the rebuilding)
LocationBig Charity Island, Michigan
Coordinates44°01′53″N 83°26′08″W / 44.03139°N 83.43556°W / 44.03139; -83.43556
Tower
Constructed1857
ConstructionBrick
Height45 feet (14 m)
ShapeFrustum of a cone
MarkingsWhite with black lantern
Light
First lit1857
Deactivated1939
Focal height45 feet (14 m)
LensFourth-order Fresnel lens
Range13 nautical miles (24 km; 15 mi)

Charity Island Light is a lighthouse on Big Charity Island in Lake Huron just off the coast of Au Gres, Northern Michigan.

History

In 1838, the region was the source of lumber being removed from Lower Michigan via the rivers that enter the lower end of Saginaw Bay. The shoals around Charity Island were a major source of problems, posing an obstacle to lumber vessels. It was not until 1856, however, that funds were allocated to establish a light on the island.

The octagonal cast iron lantern displayed a fixed white Fourth Order Fresnel lens light which was constructed in 1857 with a 39-foot (12 m) tower which provided a 13-nautical-mile (24 km; 15 mi) range of visibility. The Lighthouse Board was in the process of constructing a set of lights up and down the coast, and 13 nautical miles was considered adequate both to keep boats off the island and to navigate from one light to the next.

It was originally equipped with a white, Fourth Order Fresnel lens. Fourth order Fresnel lenses were 28 inches (710 mm), with a focal length of 9.8 inches (250 mm), and used 5 ounces (140 g) of oil per hour. Although a lens in that configuration had a range of up to 15 nautical miles (28 km; 17 mi), the Charity Island lens had a range of 13 nautical miles. In 1900, an acetylene lens replaced the 4th order lens. The lights characteristic changed from steady white light to a flashing light, at 10 second intervals. "Charity Island lighthouse was the first on the Great Lakes to receive such a light

The light was fully automated in 1900.

The original lighthouse keeper’s quarters was a wood duplex; attached by a walkway was the tower. In 1907, the tower was extended to 45 feet (14 m) and the dwelling gained a second story. In 1917 the site was the first to be automated with an acetylene lamp.

The light was abandoned since 1939 when Gravelly Shoal was lit, and it rapidly fell apart. It wound up on the Lighthouse Digest "Doomsday List" and required rehabilitation.

The Nature Conservancy is said to own the tower.

Alternatively, another source states that the tower is owned by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and operated by the Arenac County Historical Society.

Present status

The Charity Island Preservation Committee of the Arenac County Historical Society is restoring the tower. The original keeper's house was razed, and a new restored private residence has been built in its place and on its foundation. It is being operated as a restaurant and a bed and breakfast. A full list of past keepers of the light is maintained for historical reference.

Access

It is hard to get close enough to this light to see it. In this area, Lake Huron is quite shallow and rocky, and the light is too far out to be seen from shore. Getting a boat near it requires a motor, oars or a long paddle, and considerable care.

However, tours of the island (and dinner cruises) are commercially available on vessels named the Catamaran and the North Star. They include the privately owned and recently rebuilt Charity Island Light Lighthouse keeper's house and a passing view of Gravelly Shoal Light. They are available from Charity Island Transport, Inc. in Au Gres, Michigan, on the mainland, south of Tawas.

See also

References

  1. Pepper, Terry. "Database of Tower Heights". Seeing the Light. terrypepper.com. Archived from the original on 2000-09-18.
  2. Pepper, Terry. "Database of Focal Heights". Seeing the Light. terrypepper.com. Archived from the original on 2008-08-30.
  3. Seeing The Light – Charity Island Lighthouse
  4. ^ "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: Michigan". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. Archived from the original on 2017-05-01.
  5. Pepper, Terry. "Database of Original Lenses". Seeing the Light. terrypepper.com. Archived from the original on 2000-09-18.
  6. Charity Island Light, The Michigan Lighthouse Fund
  7. Lighthouse Central, Photographs, History, Directions and Way points for Charity Island Lighthouse, The Ultimate Guide to East Michigan Lighthouses by Jerry Roach (Publisher: Bugs Publishing LLC - July 2006). ISBN 0-9747977-1-5; ISBN 978-0-9747977-1-7.
  8. ^ Charity Island Lighthouse, Seeing The Light, Terry Pepper
  9. ^ Beacons in the Night, Michigan Lighthouse Chronology, Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University
  10. ^ Bostwick, Violet M., Charity Island Light Archived 2012-03-11 at the Wayback Machine, Boatnerd.com.
  11. ^ Detroit News Interactive map on Michigan lighthouses.
  12. Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of the United States: Michigan's Eastern Lower Peninsula". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  13. Biggs, Jerry, Home Begins at Charity Archived 2011-06-14 at the Wayback Machine, Lighthouse Digest, November, 1995.
  14. Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy, Charity Island Light.
  15. ^ National Park Service, Maritime Heritage Project, Inventory of Historic Light Stations - Michigan Lighthouses, Charity Island Light.
  16. Charity Island Preservation Committee.
  17. Anderson, Kraig, Lighthouse friends, Charity Island Light.
  18. "Lighthouses as bed and breakfasts". Archived from the original on 2009-03-01. Retrieved 2009-10-18.
  19. Keepers of the Charity Island Light, Great Lakes Lighthouse Research, Phyllis Tag
  20. Charity Island ferry service. Archived 2016-04-27 at the Wayback Machine

Further reading

  • Harrison, Tim (editor of Lighthouse Digest and President of the American Lighthouse Foundation), (September, 2009) Ghost Lights of Michigan (Rare historic images and text on Michigan's lost and obscure lighthouse, including bonus chapters on lightships and lighthouse tenders.) East Machias, Maine: Foghorn Publishing, ISBN 978-0-9778293-3-0.

External links

Lighthouses in Michigan
Main: List of lighthouses in the United States
Northern Upper Peninsula
Southern Upper Peninsula
St. Mary's River
Portage River/Ship Canal
Straits of Mackinac
Western Lower Peninsula
Eastern Lower Peninsula
Historical (lost) lights
Related
Categories: