Site Record
Metadata
Site# |
188 |
Site Name |
Portland Breakwater Light |
Description |
Portland Breakwater Light (known more commonly as "Bug Light") was first established in 1855, when a small, wooden lighthouse was placed at the end of what had become an 1,800 foot breakwater. The breakwater was built over Stanford's Ledge to prevent steamships from turning too tightly around Cushing's Point and getting hung up on the rocks. It also helped to provide some protection to the Portland peninsula from storm surge in this very windy, choppy area. The first keeper of Bug Light was W.A. Dyer who lit the first light (a fixed red light) in the tower on August 1, 1855. In the early 1870s, the breakwater was extended even further, to 1,990 feet. In 1875, after 20 years of service, the wooden lighthouse was removed and replaced by the lighthouse that we see today. In 1878, the fixed red light became a flashing red beam. Since it proved very difficult for the keeper to get out to the light during the winter, with waves crashing over and freezing on the rocks, a long section of iron handrail was added in 1879 giving him something to grab hold of on his way out. In 1889, a keeper's house was added, built atop a wide wooden platform that had an overhang on both sides of the breakwater. It was there that many a lighthouse keeper and his family would live, in the small, wood home attached to the lighthouse which served as its anchor through many a storm. An outhouse was built on the side of the platform, with a hole cut out to reach the waters below. Bug Light would see the beginning of its end of service around 1934 when it was electrified and a submarine cable laid to Spring Point so that it could be operated remotely. With no more need for an onsite keeper, the position was eliminated on June 30, 1934, and the keeper's house then removed. The light was extinguished in 1942 during World War II, and the lighthouse was abandoned in 1943. Keepers at Portland Breakwater Light: 1855-1857 - W.A. Dyer 1857-1860 - William Lee Willard 1860-1861 - Benjamin F. Willard 1861-1866 - Benjamin B. Walton 1866-1867 - Levi Strout 1867-1875 - Paul McKenney 1875-1887 - Stephen Hubbard 1887-1900 - Albus R. Angell 1900-1908 - Parker O. Haley 1908-1909 - William A. Stetson 1909-1919 - William T. Holbrook 1920-1933 - Preston Marr |
