Holland Island Bar Light

Holland Island Bar Light

undated photograph of Holland Island Bar Light (USCG)
Location	South of Holland Island in the Chesapeake Bay
Coordinates	38.0687°N 76.0959°W / 38.0687; -76.0959
Tower
Constructed	1889
Foundation	screw-pile
Construction	cast-iron/wood
Shape	square house
Light
First lit	1889
Deactivated	1960
Focal height	11 m (36 ft)
Lens	fourth-order Fresnel lens
Range	12 mi
Characteristic	10 sec white flashing

The Holland Island Bar Light was a screw-pile lighthouse in the Chesapeake Bay which existed from 1889 to 1960. It is remembered for the unexplained death of one of its keepers, and for being "attacked" by United States Navy pilots during a training exercise.

History

The lighthouse was built in 1889 south of Holland Island, Maryland, a small fishing community. It was completed for $35,000, and was outfitted with a fourth-order Fresnel lens. In 1905 the Lighthouse Board considered turning the station into one of a pair of range lights, but this plan eventually fell through.

The house was dismantled in 1960; it was replaced by an automated beacon mounted on the original foundation.

Death of Ulman Owens

On March 31, 1931, keeper Ulman Owens was found dead at the station under mysterious circumstances. Though there was blood and evidence of a struggle, no wounds were found on his body and the death was ruled natural.

Friendly-fire incident

The lighthouse stood near the hulk of an old ship, the Hannibal, which was frequently used for target practice by Navy fighters. On February 19, 1957, three ADSN Skyraiders from the Naval Air Station at Atlantic City, New Jersey bombed the light; their pilots had mistaken the structure for the hulk of the Hannibal. Three practice rockets hit the light. Although they carried no explosives, they still managed to tear holes in the roof and walls, and damaged several of the iron pilings as well. The keepers called the United States Coast Guard, which sent aid. Although the four men were evacuated, they returned the next day to begin repairs.

References

• History of the light
• "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: Maryland" (PDF). United States Coast Guard Historian's Office.
• Holland Island Bar Light, from the Chesapeake Chapter of the United States Lighthouse Society

External links

• Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of the United States: Maryland". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.