Whale Rock Light

Whale Rock Light, Whale Rock Island, West Passage of Narrangansett Bay, Washington County, Rhode Island

Sparkplug style lighthouse built in 1882, destroyed in a hurricane in 1938.

WHALE ROCK LIGHT

Location: WEST PASSAGE OF NARRAGANSETT BAY
Station Established: 1882
Year Current Tower(s) First Lit: n/a
Operational? NO; COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY A HURRICANE IN 1938
Automated? n/a
Deactivated: n/a
Foundation Materials: BEDROCK; LOWER PART OF CAISSON STRUCTURE FILLED WITH CONCRETE
Construction Materials: CAST IRON
Tower Shape: CAISSON
Markings/Pattern: 
Relationship to Other Structure: n/a
Original Lens: FOURTH ORDER, FRESNEL

HISTORICAL INFORMATION:

• This caisson lighthouse was destroyed by a hurricane on 21 September 1938.  Walter B. Eberle, a U.S. Navy veteran and the first assistant keeper of the light was at his station when the lighthouse was completely swept away.   His body was never recovered.  The head keeper was ashore at the time and was unable to return to his station due to the severity of the storm.