Historically Famous Lighthouses

CALIFORNIA MILE ROCKS LIGHTHOUSE

Reading edition

One-half mile off Landsend, in the Golden Gate.

Illustration from Historically Famous Lighthouses CG-232

This lighthouse was completed in 1906, after considerable difficulty caused by the heavy seas and strong currents occurring at this point. The rock upon which the lighthouse is built measured only 40 by 30 feet at high water. The base of the tower is a large block of concrete protected by steel plating. Steel and concrete in the foundation alone weighed 1,500 tons. The superstructure is of steel, and houses the fog signal apparatus and the quarters for the keepers, with the lantern above. It was on this rock that the Rio Janeiro was wrecked shortly before the building of the lighthouse. One hundred and twenty-eight persons out of a total of 209, lost their lives when the Rio Janeiro went down on February 2, 1901. The wreck has never been found. In 1966, the tower was removed, and the light automated. (1) (2)

Notes in this chapter

Note 1 · Inspection Reports by Army, Navy, Revenue Cutter Officers and Special Agents of the Treasury Department—The National Archives, Washington, D Note 2 · Annual Reports of the Lighthouse Board—1852-1910.