Cardona Island Light
Location | Ponce, Puerto Rico | |
---|---|---|
Coordinates | 17°57′24.48″N 66°38′6″W / 17.9568000°N 66.63500°W | |
Tower | ||
Constructed | 1889 | |
Foundation | stone base | |
Construction | stone and brick tower | |
Automated | 1962 | |
Height | 11 m (36 ft) | |
Shape | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern atop the keeper's house | |
Markings | white tower, black lantern | |
Heritage | National Register of Historic Places listed place | |
Light | ||
First lit | 1889 | |
Focal height | 14 m (46 ft) | |
Lens | Sixth order (1889) | |
Range | 8 nmi (15 km; 9.2 mi) | |
Characteristic | Fl W 4s | |
Faro del Puerto de Ponce | ||
Architectural style | MPS Lighthouse System of Puerto Rico TR | |
NRHP reference No. | 81000691[1] | |
Added to NRHP | October 22, 1981 |
Cardona Island Light (also known as Faro del Puerto de Ponce or Cayo Cardona Light) is the only 6th order lighthouse in Puerto Rico with a cylindrical attached tower. The light is located on
Location
The light is located on a small 6-acre (2.4 ha) key, west of
It was first lit in 1889 and automated in 1962. In 1942, during World War II, its use was discontinued, but was relighted again on 10 November 1943.[2] The light is still an active aid to navigation.[1]
Significance
Together with
Description
The lighthouse was built of stone and brick and intended for one second class keeper. The light, built in 1889, guides the entrance to the
Structurally, it followed the same construction as three other minor lights on the south and southeast shores:
Cayo Cardona's dwelling was designed of stone and brick for one 2nd class keeper. A 33-foot (10 m) circular tower was attached to its south facade. The structure measures some 48' x 30' x 16'. Its main entrance is on the north facade which opened into a room arrangement similar to the other minor structures of the light house and described further below. The fact that no plans of this structure have been found, and that its interior has been closed off with cement makes it difficult to describe. Only secondary references, a late 19th-century photo of the site, and official references to the similar or identical design of the minor lights allows a reserved description of this particular site.[4]
The c. 1898 photo available depicts a simple neo-classic building with a rather elaborate cornice and a simple roof parapet. Contrary to other minor lights, the tower is cylindrical, crowned by another cornice less elaborated than the dwelling's. The photograph states that the structure was painted white and light blue.[4]
The tower's
The original illuminating apparatus, still in use, is an 1888, 6th order fixed red lenticular lens manufactured by Sautter, Lemonnier & Company of France. It is 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter. The lens has four panels, with five elements in each panel of the central drum, and five prisms on each panel above the central drum and two below. It was held in place by a cast-iron pedestal. The original light was colored by a red chimney. The original light characteristics were modified in 1922 and 1938. In 1962 it was electrified and, apparently, unmanned.[4]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Inventory of Historic Light Stations National Park Service". Retrieved 27 March 2009.
- ^ "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: Puerto Rico". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. Archived from the original on 1 May 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2009.
- ^ National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form – Cayo Cardona Light. United States Department of the Interior. National Park Service. (Washington, D.C.) Page 2. Listing Reference Number 81000691. 22 October 1981.
- ^ a b c d e f National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form – Cayo Cardona Light. United States Department of the Interior. National Park Service. (Washington, D.C.) Page 1. Listing Reference Number 81000691. 22 October 1981.
External links
- Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) No. PR-16, "Faro del Puerto de Ponce, Calo Cardona, Puerto de Ponce, Ponce, Ponce Municipio, PR", 13 photos, 2 data pages, 1 photo caption page
- National Register of Historic Places photographic file