For more than a century, light keepers operated
beacons on Petit Manan, Franklin, Pond, Two Bush, and Libby islands; and
Matinicus and Egg rocks to ensure safe travel for passing vessels. With
the advent of underwater electric cables and solar power, automation of
the lights became possible. The islands were transferred to the Service
from the Coast Guard, which still maintains the lights. All of the lights
are on the National Register of Historic Places, with the exception of Two
Bush Island Light.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for maintaining the lighthouses and protecting nesting habitat for seabirds on these islands. Common, Arctic, and endangered roseate terns; Atlantic puffins; razorbills; black guillemots; common eiders; Leach's
storm-petrels; and laughing, herring, and great black-backed gulls nest
on our lighthouse islands, although not all on the same ones. The Service
and the National Audubon Society are actively working to re-establish colonies
of nesting terns on Pond and Petit Manan islands and Matinicus Rock.
Petit Manan Light, Steuben, Maine |
Station Established |
1817 |
Present Lighthouse Built |
1855 |
Automated |
1972 |
Height of Tower |
119 feet |
Height of Focal Plane |
123 feet |
Original Optic /Present Optic |
Second order Fresnel / DCB -224 |
Fog Signal |
One blast every 30 seconds |
Other Structures Still Standing |
1875 keeper’s house 1876 engine house 1887 fog signal building and rain shed
|
Pond Island Light, Phippsburg, Maine |
Station Established |
1821 |
Present Lighthouse Built |
1855 |
Automated |
1963 |
Height of Tower |
20 feet |
Height of Focal Plane |
52 feet |
Original Optic / Present Optic |
Fifth order Fresnel / 250 mm |
Fog Signal |
Two blasts every 30 seconds |
Other Structures Still Standing |
None
|
Matinicus Rock Light, Matinicus Isle, Maine |
Station Established |
1827 |
Present Lighthouse Built |
1857 |
Automated |
1983 (North light discontinued in 1924) |
Height of Tower |
48 feet |
Height of Focal Plane |
90 feet |
Original Optic / Present Optic |
Third order Fresnel / DCB -224 |
Fog Signal |
One blast every 15 seconds |
Other Structures Still Standing |
1864 keeper’s house and 1890 oil house
|
Egg Rock Light, Winter Harbor, Maine |
Station Established |
1875 |
Present Lighthouse Built |
1875 |
Automated |
1976 |
Height of Tower |
40 feet |
Height of Focal Plane |
64 feet |
Original Optic / Present Optic |
Fifth order Fresnel / 190 mm |
Fog Signal |
Two blasts every 30 seconds |
Other Structures Still Standing |
1875 keeper’s house (integral to tower)
|
Two Bush Light, Matinicus Isle, Maine |
Station Established |
1897 |
Present Lighthouse Built |
1897 |
Automated |
1964 |
Height of Tower |
42 feet |
Height of Focal Plane |
65 feet |
Original Optic / Present Optic |
Fifth order Fresnel / Solar powered modern optic |
Fog Signal |
One blast every 15 seconds |
Other Structures Still Standing |
none
|
Libby Island Light, Machiasport, Maine |
Station Established |
1822 |
Present Lighthouse Built |
1824 (?) |
Automated |
1974 |
Height of Tower |
42 feet |
Height of Focal Plane |
91 feet |
Original Optic / Present Optic |
Fourth order Fresnel / Solar powered modern optic |
Fog Signal |
One blast every 15 seconds |
Other Structures Still Standing |
1884 fog signal building |
|