The Rockland Breakwater And Lighthouse

by Tom Seymour

The nearly mile-long Rockland Breakwater, along with the red-brick lighthouse and attached, wood-frame keepers dwelling, are the end result of a lengthy process. Steps toward the present incarnation of breakwater and light that we see today began in the early 19th century with construction of a seawall, tiny by comparison to the present breakwater.

Present-day Rockland was known by colonists who settled here after hostilities between England and France ended with the conclusion of the French and Indian War, as “Shore Village.” The name changed in the early 1800s when Shore Village became “East Thomaston.”

Trade and industry quickly grew, among which was the limestone industry. Relics of the early days of this industry remain today in the form of widely-scattered limestone quarries, lime kilns (furnaces for heating limestone in order to convert it to useable lime) and even street names. Limerock Street in Rockland pretty much says it all. And, of course, the Dragon Cement plant in South Thomaston continues on, providing employment for many Mainers.

Shipping went hand-in-hand with the lime industry. Schooners, operating out of Rockland delivered lime up and down the east coast as well as to offshore locations. Because of its intimate connection with limestone, or “limerock,” East Thomaston became “Rockland” in 1850.

Along with shipping and shipbuilding, Rockland was home to a commercial fishing fleet. These and other industries such as granite and the ice business relied upon Rockland Harbor as a direct link to the outside world. The need for protection from damaging seas that accompanied the powerful nor’easters that struck from time to time became apparent early on.

In the mid-1800’s, spurred by storm-related damage to its waterfront, Rockland lobbied Congress to build a breakwater. This petition stalled for decades, finally winning approval in 1880. The sum of $20,000 was appropriated for this purpose. That year, the Report of the Chief of Engineers, U.S. Army, stated: “The object of this appropriation, so far as can be ascertained, was the building of a rubble-stone breakwater for the protection of the harbor against easterly storms to which it is much exposed…”

Small Beginnings

The sum of money enumerated in the original appropriation was, of course, totally inadequate, but it was a beginning. The plan called for a two-part breakwater. One section was to extend 1,900 feet from shore at Jameson Point. The other was to begin at South Ledge and project 2,640 feet back toward Jameson Point. Both breakwaters were to rise five feet above mean low water and both were to be 10 feet wide at the top. These two structures were estimated to cost a total of $500,000.

And so construction began, but not without the typical problems that accompany such projects even today. Among these were cost overruns and design flaws.

Granite, the prerequisite building material, came from local quarries. This was brought to the site on ships and moved about by virtue of stout cranes. Despite this availability of local stone, cost estimates underwent constant upward revisions. By end of June 1885, the Jameson Point section of breakwater extended 1,400 feet and cost $85,687.

The design flaw, though, had far more serious potential consequences than did cost underestimates. Being only five feet above mean low water, the breakwater would necessarily be totally submerged at least once in every 24-hour period. This meant that the breakwater would present a serious menace to ships traveling in and out of the harbor during those times when it was submerged. It also meant that while submerged, the breakwater would not be fully effective in protecting Rockland Harbor from storm waves.

So in 1887, it was decided to raise the level of the breakwater so that it would remain out of water at all times. In addition, the top would be widened to 20 feet. These and some other changes increased costs to $100,000.

More change was forthcoming. In 1890, the plan changed dramatically, from a two-sectioned breakwater to a single, long structure extending from Jameson Point. Plans for an inner breakwater from South Ledge were dropped. Also, only one light would be needed on the single breakwater, this at the very end. The original plan called for three, different lights.

The new, single-section breakwater was completed on November 24, 1899. However, that winter saw several powerful storms. These created extra-high tides, the waves of which swept over the breakwater, causing damage inside the harbor. And so it was decided to raise the top to four feet above mean high water and also, to add 23,000 more tons of stone to the outer slope.

The cap was winded to 39 feet at the breakwater’s end in order to accommodate a lighthouse. And on July 1, 1902, the breakwater at Jameson Point was fully completed.

Light and Sound

Even before completion, the need for a light being undeniable, the U.S. Lighthouse service set up a white-lens lantern. This hung off an iron crane on top of a stone beacon. Other stone beacons were set up at intervals along the breakwater to serve as daymarks.

In 1888, the position of part-time lightkeeper was established. Ezra Ring was very likely the first to take on the task. This he did by boat, since at the time, the breakwater was not only submerged part of the time, the end connecting it to shore wasn’t yet completed. By 1892, the white lens was discontinued and two red lanterns were installed. Then in 1895, a six-by-six building was erected along the base.

But although the breakwater was fully completed in 1902, as mentioned above, the light still had some changes to undergo. A plan for a tower, lightkeeper’s dwelling and fog signal house had been sent to Washington D.C. and by 1901, Maine Governor John Hill signed the bill into law.

By September 1902, the lighthouse at Rockland Breakwater was completed. By October of that same year, the lighthouse was officially on-line. Its white light flashed every five seconds and its First Class Daboll trumpet fog signal emitted five-second blasts, with 15 seconds off, followed by another five-second blast.

One small, but significant change occurred in 1906. The red brick fog signal house and light tower were painted white in order to make them easier to see from sea during daylight hours. This color scheme lasted until 1991, when the building was turned back to its original red brick color.

Between the years 1888 and 1965, 16 different keepers and 19 different assistant keepers staffed the lighthouse. In 1965, the light was automated and the last keeper transferred. After that, the structure began to wear with age and also, because of lack of upkeep.

In 1966, the United States Coast Guard sought to demolish the dwelling, or “keeper’s house.” However, this plan like the original one to build a breakwater in the first place, stalled. Then, in 1981, the old lighthouse joined so many others of its ilk by being placed upon the National Historic Register of Historic Places. The lighthouse was thus preserved for future generations to enjoy and appreciate.

Today, while officially owned by the City of Rockland, the lighthouse is lovingly maintained and preserved by a private, non-profit organization called The Friends of the Rockland Breakwater Light- house. In 2001, the friends leased the lighthouse from the city.

The friends are a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation. Fundraisers as well as the generosity of lighthouse fans and supporters finance their continuing efforts. For more information on the friends, contact American Lighthouse Foundation, P.O. Box 565, Rockland, ME 04841, call (207) 594-4174 or go online to: www.lighthousefoundation.org

You can also visit the American Lighthouse Foundation office at 464 Main Street in Rockland. The lighthouse is open in summer from 10 – 5 every weekend.