Monday, October 9, 2023

1928 Lansing Shoal Lighthouse on Lake Michigan

(Satellite, I've noticed before that Google Maps doesn't process images over large bodies of water.)

I wonder how many lighthouses are on Lake Michigan. I have already noted the Waugoshance and White Shoal Lighthouses.

(Update: a comment provided this resource for lighthouse information:
https://www.lighthousefriends.com/maps.html. I counted 13 away from the shore in Lake Michigan.)

Michigan Lighthouses 129 posted
Forty miles to the west of Michigan's Mackinac Bridge in Lake Michigan dwells the Lansing Shoal Lighthouse (#79 of 129).  First lit in 1928 this light was one of the last to be built on the Great Lakes.  In 1993 it was struck by the 1000 foot freighter MV Indiana Harbor requiring almost $2 million in repairs to the vessel.  Damage to the lighthouse was estimated to be $100,000.
The Lansing Shoal Lighthouse is now privately owned and has largely been abandoned to the Lake.
Jim Grams: How deep is the water there ?
Michigan Lighthouses 129: Jim Grams according to the 1908 Lighthouse Board request:
"Lansing Shoal is located northeasterly from Squaw Island about 4 ⅝ miles, and bounds on the northward the narrow passage through which pass east or west bound vessels between the Straits of Mackinac and the northern part of Lake Michigan. The shoal consists of a number of detached shallow spots, with depths less than 20 feet (the shallowest water shown on the chart is 17 feet, and it is probable that there are spots shoaler than this)."
Sandy Garrison Kretschmer: Does the Coast Guard maintain the light like White Shoal?
Michigan Lighthouses 129: Sandy Garrison Kretschmer A good question. The Coast Guard is responsible for maintaining the actual LED beacon in the lantern room as it is still an Aid to Navigation. But not the actual lighthouse itself, that's privately owned.
James Leow: Collision in broad daylight after just leaving the shipyard I believe!
Michigan Lighthouses 129: James Leow yes, supposedly under full speed and in clear conditions.





2 comments:

  1. A great resource for Great Lakes lighthouse location/information (and the US in general): https://www.lighthousefriends.com/maps.html

    ReplyDelete