Chandeleur Light, New Orleans Louisiana
The Chandeleur Island Light is one of only four similarly designed lighthouses in the Gulf Coast region.
The Chandeleur Islands appear on charts as the moon in its final phase, an arc running north-to-south and bulging at the center toward the east.
Congress appropriated $12,000 in 1847 for a light on South Chandeleur Island to help guide vessels to the Ship Island and Cat Island anchorages, due north. The light, 55 feet above sea level, was visible 14 miles to sea. Completed in 1848, it was destroyed in 1854.
A whitewashed brick tower finished the next year was placed on the north end of the island chain. The light was abandoned at the outbreak of the war, but Union forces reexhibited the entrance to New Orleans. The dwelling at the station was raised on five screwpiles. An additional dwelling for an assistant keeper was added in 1890.
On October 1st, 1893, a storm washed away much of the sand from the lighthouse foundation, canting it from the perpendicular by several feet. Due to the importance of the light for vessels seeking a safe anchorage, $35,000 was requested to relocate it.
An iron skeleton tower, its Third Order lens 102 feet above sea level, was built in 1896. The old tower was demolished and used as rip-rap around the foundation.
The light list today notes that the present lens is 99 feet above sea level, visible for 10 miles. The skeleton tower is now painted brown.
The skeletal frame on pile construction of the Chandeleur Light (1896) marks it as a good example of a type of light common to the Gulf Coast in the late 19th century. It is an important part of the maritime history of the region. Its light and durable construction represented something of an advancement in lighthouse technology which was specifically adapted to shallow swampy shoreline areas where there was no solid ground on which to build a conventional lighthouse. This type of light provided reliable aid to navigation after decades of uncertain navigation caused by lighthouses becoming non-functional by sinking into the mud.
Site Description
Wrought iron skeleton tower with enclosed stairwell built in 1896. The light is accessible only by boat. The lighthouse is unmanned and is currently used as an automated aid to navigation.
Approximate dimensions - Base 30 ft. to top, 99 ft. above sea level.
Material construction - Wrought Iron
Form of Lighthouse - Wrought Iron pipe columns with metal stair tube and lantern
Type of Illuminate and Lens - Maxiluma - 300
Color of Lighthouse - Brown with Black Lantern
(1983)
(1985)
(1985)
