Image: William Waterway Discovery of 1799 Gay Head Lighthouse Foundation

Description: On October 21, 2013, William Waterway (Gay Head Light modern day keeper, 1984-1994) was exploring and photographing the endangered Gay Head Lighthouse and its eroding clay cliffs. Much to his surprise, he discovered what may be the 1844 foundation for the first wooden 1799 Gay Head Lighthouse's keeper's house that was relocated in 1844. In 1844, due to threats of the erosion, the original 1799 octagonal wooden lighthouse and its keeper's house with outbuildings were moved about 75 feet back from the edge of the clay cliff edge. Since this foundation is made of a mortar and stone construction that is so substantial - it apparently was made to hold a significant structure. The huge exposed stones are from a Mainland quarry - so had to be cut and hauled to a shipping dock on the Mainland, then transported via ship to a dock on Martha's Vineyard, and then hauled by teams of oxen to the Gay Head Light location. The digging of the clay pit to accommodate this stone foundation was done at a time of no machinery - therefore required considerable time and effort. The stones were then set into the excavated pit and cemented together with mortar. Due to recent erosion, this stone and mortar foundation became exposed.
Title: William Waterway Discovery of 1799 Gay Head Lighthouse Foundation
Credit: With a tripod and time-release camera setting Previously published: http://williamwaterway.squarespace.com/blog/; Facebook
Author: Williamwaterway
Usage Terms: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
License: CC BY-SA 3.0
License Link: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0
Attribution Required?: Yes