It is one of Canada’s oldest continuously operating lighthouse locations
It’s on Cape Sable Island, a tiny island just off the southern tip of Nova Scotia
The lighthouse (originally built in 1861) still flashes every five seconds from atop the 13 metre structure. When the fog rolls in, a fog horn also bellows its mournful note.
Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, announced this week that the Government of Canada is making a two-year investment to repair the Cape Sable Lighthouse..
The present lighthouse was automated in 1985. Locals say it still provides a valuable service.
The current concrete lighthouse went up in 1923 to replace the smaller wooden original.
Leigh Stoddart, mayor of nearby Clark’s Harbour is quoted in the Halifax Herald news saying that although modern technology means the lighthouse is not needed as much. “Any ship coming from Europe to the U.S., they’ve got to go by this lighthouse, mariners are mariners and it is a landmark and I’m sure they look for it”.
The first lighthouse was erected in 1860 after the steamship SS Hungarian out of Liverpool bound for New York struck the ledges of Cape Sable in a February gale that year. All passengers and crew — 205 men, women and children — perished.
On a good day the islet is only a few minutes boat ride from Hawk Point but in the storm, the residents nearby couldn’t get to them.
Some of the bodies were later recovered and are buried in the town cemetery.
Saying modern satellite and gps technology has made most lighthousese redundant, the Canadian government has been automating lighthouses it deems still useful, while divesting itself of most others, turning them over to local volunteer historic groups where it can. Although the Cape Sable lighthouse is still under federal control, it has not previously been keeping up maintainence.
Two years ago, the province of Nova Scotia provided $50,000 to a local volunteer group to maintain the lighthouse, but more intensive repairs are needed.
The new federal initative will help ensure the popular historic attraction of the lighthouse and its survival. The project will include repairs to concrete, rehabilitation of the original lantern/gallery, installation of a heating system and the lighthouse will be fully painted.
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