0210. USA - New London Harbor Lighthouse (US New England Coastal LH Series-2013)

The town of New London, Connecticut is a veritable paradise for Lighthouse lovers.  Locally known as the Pequot Avenue Lighthouse to distinguish it from the lighthouse just offshore, the present New London Harbor Lighthouse is Connecticut's oldest and tallest lighthouse.

The glory days early in the country's history the New London was the 3rd busiest whaling port.  The busy port attracted several immigrants, leading to the beach area near where the lighthouse stands being used as quarantine ground in the 1750's for recent arrivals to the New World infected with smallpox, a recurring problem at the time.

In 1760, a committee was pursued for the funding, construction and staffing of a new lighthouse for the harbor entrance at New London.  The following year, the lighthouse, a 64-foot stone tower with a wooden lantern at the top, was finished at the West side of the harbor entrance.  It was the 1st lighthouse in the harbor and only the 4th to be built in the American colonies.

But by 1800, the lighthouse had a crack extending 10 feet down from the lantern.  In addition, the light was so dim as to often be indistinguishable from the lights of the surrounding homes.  A replacement light, in 1800, a New Londoner by the name of Woodward began construction on the current octagonal, tapered 80-foot tower.

Sitting on a foundation of a mixture of granite, brownstone, and native stone, the tower was built of freestone, hammered smooth and laid in courses. The walls were nine inches thick and lined with brick inside. A wooden spiral staircase led up to the lantern room.

When the new station was opened in 1801, its flashing light was produced by oil lamps and an eclipser.  This apparatus was replaced in 1834 by eleven lamps with 14-inch reflectors.  Finally, a 4th order Fresnel lens, which remains in the lighthouse today, was installed in the late 1850's.

The New London Harbor Lighthouse is not the easiest lighthouse to visit, as the keeper’s house and surrounding ground is privately owned.  Limited views are available from the sidewalk on Pequot Avenue, but the best views are from the water. In October 2009, the New London Maritime Society became the new legal steward of the New London Harbor Lighthouse, after the Coast Guard excess-ed the tower through the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000.  A formal transfer ceremony was held at the lighthouse on October 13, 2010, wherein the deed for the lighthouse was presented to the New London Maritime Society. The tower and surrounding land, however, remains off-limits to the public except during special tours offered by the society.

USPS commemorated the New London Harbor Lighthouse (State of Connecticut) by the release of  a Forever stamp on 13-Jul-2013 in its US New England Coastal Lighthouse Stamp Series-2013 (6th Lighthouse Series).

Established in the year 1761, the New London Harbor Lighthouse:

• Tower is OCTAGONAL brownstone
• Tower is painted WHITE
• Lantern painted BLACK
• Height is 27 metres
• Colour scheme of LIGHT is WHITE
• Light character is 3 seconds ON and 3 seconds OFF

0209. Barbados - Needham's Point Lighthouse

Needham's Point Lighthouse is located at the end of Carlisle Bay, South-West coast of Barbados.  It is one of the four existent historic lighthouse(s) of Barbados.  This lighthouse has a stationary rather than rotating beacon.  The lighthouse is inactive.  Hilton Hotels built a large new hotel next to this Lighthouse tower.  Hilton Hotels now owns the Lighthouse and has restored and painted its exterior.

The stationary nature of the lights allow sailors to know whether they were near the port or starboard side of Carlisle Bay.  

The Needham's Point Lighthouse was commemorated by Barbados Postal Service with the release of a $1.80 stamp on 13-Jun-2013.

Built in the year 1855, the NEEDHAM's POINT Lighthouse:

• Tower is OCTAGONAL masonry
• Tower painted WHITE
• Lantern and Gallery is painted BLACK
• Height is 13 metres
• Colour scheme of the LIGHT is RED to North & East ; WHITE to South & West
• LIGHT character is a FLASH every 8 seconds

0208. USA - Portland Head Lighthouse (US New England Coastal LH Series-2013)

The State of Maine, located in the North-Eastern corner of USA has rugged, deeply indented coast with about 70 lighthouse(s).  Portland Head Lighthouse is located at the entrance to Portland Harbor in Maine.

As the trade was burgeoning in the town of Portland, the need of a lighthouse was felt and the first lighthouse completed by the US Government after it assumed control of lighthouse(s) in 1789 and the lighthouse was the most visited, painted and photographed lighthouse in New England.

USPS commemorated the Portland Head Lighthouse (State of Maine) by the release of  a Forever stamp on 13-Jul-2013 in its US New England Coastal Lighthouse Stamp Series-2013 (6th Lighthouse Series).

Built in the year 1791, the Portland Head Lighthouse:

• Tower is ROUND rubblestone
• Tower is painted WHITE
• Lantern, Watch room and Gallery painted BLACK
• Height is 25 metres
• Colour scheme of LIGHT is WHITE
• Light character is a FLASH every 4 seconds

0207. New Zealand (North Island) - Castle Point Lighthouse

Due to countless twists and turns, the exact length of the New Zealand's coastline is impossible to measure.  But, it's estimated to be between 15000 and 18000 kilometers.  Although the North Island is smaller than the South Island, it has a longer coastline due to numerous inlets, bays, harbors, flords and estuaries.

The New Zealand's coastline has numerous lighthouse(s) that play a key role in keeping the ships safe from harm.  The year 2013 marks the 100 years of the development of New Zealand's Maritime Radio Service.  And, also, the year marks the centenary of the Castle Point Lighthouse on the Wairarapa coast.  

New Zealand Post commemorated the Castle Point Lighthouse with the release of a 70 cents stamp on 4-Sep-2013 in its New Zealand Coastlines Stamp Issue.   The New Zealand Coastline Stamp Issue celebrates five areas of New Zealand's Coast and the lighthouse(s) that monitor them.

The detail(s) about the Castle Point Lighthouse is available in my earlier post #0181...

0206. Barbados - South Point Lighthouse

The South Point Lighthouse was commemorated by Barbados Postal Service with the release of a $1.50 stamp on 13-Jun-2013. 

The detail(s) about the South Point Lighthouse is available in my earlier post #0018...

0205. USA - Boston Harbor Lighthouse (US New England Coastal LH Series-2013)

Boston Harbor Lighthouse stands over one of the oldest and most important harbors on the Eastern Seaboard, south side of Little Brewster Island.  The lighthouse is flanked by White clapboard keeper's house, a picturesque oil house and a fog signal building.  It is the second oldest U.S. lighthouse (after Sandy Hook Lighthouse, New Jersey).

When this lighthouse was lit on 14-Sep-1716, there were only 70 lighthouse(s) in existence in the whole World.  Initially, the lighthouse tower housed oil lamps; 16 lamps were in place in 1789.  In 1811, the oil lamps were replaced by Argand lamps mounted on a rotating case.  But, when the lighthouse tower was raised from 75 feet to 89 feet, it was fitted with a 12-sided 2nd order Fresnel lens.

In 1948, Boston Harbor lighthouse was electrified and the power for the light came from the wind turbine in Hull.  By 1989, every lighthouse in the U.S. had been automated except Boston Harbor lighthouse.  Perhaps fittingly, the first lighthouse on American shores was the last to get modernized in 1998.

The lighthouse is recognized as a U.S. National Historic Landmark.  This lighthouse is the only light station still staffed by the Coast Guard.  The lighthouse is accessible only by boat.

USPS commemorated the Boston Harbor Lighthouse (State of Massachusetts) by the release of  a Forever stamp on 13-Jul-2013 in its US New England Coastal Lighthouse Stamp Series-2013 (6th Lighthouse Series).

Built in the year 1716, the Boston Harbor Lighthouse:

• Tower is ROUND rubblestone
• Tower is painted WHITE
• Lantern painted BLACK
• Height is 27 metres
• Colour scheme of LIGHT is WHITE
• Light character is a FLASH every 10 seconds

0204. Barbados - Harrison Point Lighthouse

Harrison Point Lighthouse is an endangered Lighthouse located at the North-Westernmost point of the Barbados Island.  It is one of the four historic Lighthouses in the island nation.

The Harrison Point Lighthouse was commemorated by Barbados Postal Service with the release of a 65 cents stamp on 13-Jun-2013. 

Built in the year 1925, the HARRISON POINT Lighthouse:

• Tower is ROUND concrete
• Tower painted WHITE
• Lantern is painted RED
• Height is 26 metres
• Colour scheme of the LIGHT is RED
• LIGHT character is CONTINUOUS

0203. Jersey - Noirmont Point Lighthouse

Jersey Post commemorated the Noirmont Point Lighthouse by the release of a 70p stamp in its "Jersey Coastal Towers-II" series  on 12-Oct-2012.

The detail(s) about the Noirmont Point Lighthouse is available in my earlier post #0099...

0202. Seychelles - Denis Island Lighthouse

The Republic of Seychelles, groups of island scattered across the Western part of the Indian Ocean. The Mahé group consists of rocky, fairly substantial islands and forms the core of the country; the other islands are mostly coral reefs.  The islands see-sawed back and forth between Britain and France during the wars between those countries, finally landing in British hands in 1814.  The country has been independent since 1976.

There is one Lighthouse on Denis Island.  Denis Island, is a small, privately owned coral island, North of Mahé.  The island has been developed as a resort.  The Lighthouse is located at the Northern point of the Denis Island. The original lighthouse was a wooden tower.  But, the wooden Lighthouse deteriorated due to the tropical climate.  Hence, in 1892, a tripod-style lighthouse was built.  The Lighthouse is no longer used for navigation purpose and only serves as a remembrance of the Denis Island History.

The Denis Island Lighthouse was commemorated by Seychelles Post with the release of a 20 cents stamp on 21-Feb-1962. 

Established in the year 1883 (renovated in 1910),  the DENIS ISLAND Lighthouse:

• Tower is SKELETAL topped by a second skeletal tower
• Access to the gallery is by an external stairway that zigzags up the legs of the tower
• Tower painted RED and WHITE HORIZONTAL bands
• Height is 27 metres
• Colour scheme of the LIGHT is WHITE
• LIGHT character is a FLASH every 5 seconds

0201. Germany - Helgoland Lighthouse

Helgoland, a small island in the North Sea.   Helgoland is a popular tourist attraction accessible by ferry from Hamburg.

The British Lighthouse Agency, Trinity House built the first lighthouse here, an 18 meter stone tower in 1811.  A first-order lantern and lens was installed in 1870.  In 1901, the Germans replaced the British Lighthouse with a 36 meter stone tower and transferred the 1870 lantern and lens to the Staberhuk Lighthouse on the island of Fehmarn in the Baltic.  During WWII, the 1901 Lighthouse was destroyed.

The present Lighthouse was actually built in 1941 as an anti-aircraft observation tower which was converted into a Lighthouse in 1952.  The Lighthouse was located on the western side of Hauptinsel Helgoland. 

The Helgoland Lighthouse was commemorated by Deutsche Bundespost with the release of a 30 pfennig Heligoland Series Tourism stamp on 20-Oct-1972. 

Built in the year 1952,  the HELGOLAND Lighthouse:

• Tower is SQUARE 9-storey steel and concrete building with brick vaneer
• Top of the tower is crowded with communication and radar antennas
• Height is 35 metres
• Colour scheme of the LIGHT is WHITE
• LIGHT character is a FLASH every 5 seconds

My sincere thanks to Reto Muller from Switzerland for sending me this commercially used envelope having the Heligoland Series tourism stamp. 

0200. USA - Edward Hopper's The Long Leg Digital Picture Cancellation

Edward Hopper - The Long Leg stamp depicting the Long Point Light and coloured Digital Picture Cancellation was released on 24-Aug-2011 from Provincetown, MA.

The detail(s) about the Edward Hopper's The Long Leg stamp is available in my earlier post #0075...

 
My sincere thanks to Reto Muller from Switzerland for sending me this Colour Digital Picture Cancellation of Edward Hopper - The Long Leg..

0199. France - Point of Penmarc'h Lighthouse Permanent PostMark

The Point of Penmarc'h is a small peninsula in Finistere in Brittany in North-Western France and is the Northern limit of the Bay of Biscay.  It house(s) three Lighthouse(s) which were established in three different period(s).  The Lighthouse(s) were located in Saint-Pierre, on the point of Penmarc'h, South-West of the town of Penmarc'h.

Penmarc'h Lighthouse (1) :

The first Penmarc'h Lighthouse was built in 1831.  Its a 15 meter high SQUARE stone tower with castellated top.  This Lighthouse town, is said to have been used to display an open fire during the 15th and 16th centuries.  Today, a French Navy Signal Station stands next to the old tower.  The Lighthouse was in-active from 1835 onwards.

Penmarc'h Lighthouse (2) :

The second Penmarc'h Lighthouse was established in 1835.  Its a 40 meter high ROUND stone tower rising from a 2-storey keeper's house.  The tower is unpainted and the Lighthouse was a twin of the Ile-de-Batz Light in Northern Finistere.  Since 1897, the Lighthouse was in-active and it now house(s) the Maritime Museum.

Penmarc'h Lighthouse (3) :

The third Penmarc'h Lighthouse was established in 1897.  Its a 65 meter high SQUARE granite tower with lantern, Octagonal granite watch room and gallery.  The Lighthouse tower is unpainted and the lantern is painted white.  The Lighthouse was dedicated to the memory of Napoleon-Louis Davout, Prince d'Echmuhl.  It is one of the most impressive Lighthouse(s) ever built on the French mainland and one of the World's tallest Lighthouse.  It is standing at the South-Western corner of Finistere.  The centennial of the Lighthouse was celebrated in 1997.

To commemorate the Centennial, the Point of Penmarc'h Lighthouse(s) were pictured in the Permanent Postmark released on 21-Aug-1997.

My sincere thanks to Reto Muller from Switzerland for sending me this French PostMark of Penmarc'h Lighthouse.  

0198. Australia (Victoria) - Point Lonsdale Lighthouse Permanent PostMark

The Point Lonsdale Lighthouse is pictured in the Permanent Postmark released by Australia Post. 

The detail(s) about the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse is available in my earlier post #0045...

My sincere thanks to Reto Muller from Switzerland for sending me this Australian PostMark of Point Lonsdale Lighthouse. 

 

0197. India - Lighthouse Miniature Sheet

India Post commemorated the Alleppey and Mahabalipuram Lighthouse with the release of a Miniature Sheet on 23-Dec-2012. 

The detail(s) about the Alleppy and Mahabalipuram Lighthouse(s) are available in my earlier post(s) #0191 and #0194 respectively...

0196. India - Mahabalipuram Lighthouse Maxim Card (Private)

Mahabalipuram Lighthouse was commemorated with the release of Maxim Card (Private) with the First day Postmark of 23-Dec-2012. 

 

The detail(s) about the Mahabalipuram Lighthouse is available in my earlier post #0194...

 

0195. India - Mahabalipuram Lighthouse Maxim Card

India Post commemorated the Mahabalipuram Lighthouse with the release of Maxim Card on 23-Dec-2012. 

The detail(s) about the Mahabalipuram Lighthouse is available in my earlier post #0194...

0194. India - Mahabalipuram Lighthouse

Mahabalipuram Lighthouse is a best known Lighthouse in the India's Eastern Coast. There were two lighthouse(s) located atop a large rock.

The earliest Lighthouse was a 20 meter high square stone structure which was built around the start of 8th century.  Fires were lit atop this for centuries as a guide to seamen.  In 1877, the British placed a lantern atop which was removed subsequently.  Since 1900, this lighthouse is inactive.  The structure is today seen on the side of the present day Lighthouse.

In 1900, the new 26 meter high un-painted round stone tower Lighthouse was built atop the large rock.  This is one of the most commonly visited Lighthouse in India. 

The Mahabalipuram Lighthouse was commemorated by India Post with the release of a 5 rupees stamp on 23-Dec-2012. 

Built in the year 1887 and re-built in 1900, the MAHABALIPURAM Lighthouse:

• Tower is ROUND stone
• Tower UNPAINTED
• Height is 26 metres
• Colour scheme of the LIGHT is WHITE
• LIGHT character is a FLASH every 10 seconds

0193. India - Alleppey Lighthouse Maxim Card (Private)

Alleppey Lighthouse was commemorated with the release of Maxim Card (Private) with the First day Postmark of 23-Dec-2012. 

The detail(s) about the Alleppey Lighthouse is available in my earlier post #0191...

0192. India - Alleppey Lighthouse Maxim Card

India Post commemorated the Alleppey Lighthouse with the release of Maxim Card on 23-Dec-2012. 

The detail(s) about the Alleppey Lighthouse is available in my earlier post #0191...

0191. India - Alleppey Lighthouse

Alleppey Lighthouse, an historic Lighthouse, in the India's South Western Coast.  The Lighthouse has teak spiral stairway.  Until the year 2000, the Lighthouse was painted all White.  The Red horizontal bands were added after that.  

The Lighthouse celebrated its Sesquicentennial (150th year) in 2012.

The Alleppey (Alappuzha) Lighthouse was commemorated by India Post with the release of a 20 rupees stamp on 23-Dec-2012. 

Built in the year 1862, the ALLEPPEY Lighthouse:

• Tower is CYLINDRICAL masonry
• Tower painted WHITE with one RED HORIZONTAL BANDS
• Height is 28 metres
• Colour scheme of the LIGHT is WHITE
• LIGHT character is a FLASH every 15 seconds