Ragged Point Lighthouse

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE EXCERPTS FROM THE US COAST GUARD HISTORIANS OFFICE HISTORY OF THE LIGHTHOUSE AND REPORTS.
1897 – Ragged Point, Potomac River, Virginia.—The following recommendation made in the Board’s last annual report is renewed:
This shoal makes off from the west bank of the river at a short turning point. It is important that this point be marked by a light at night and a fog signal during thick weather. It is estimated that a light and fog-signal station can be established here for $20,000, and it is recommended that an appropriation of this amount be made therefor.

1898 — 1899 —1900 – 1901 — 1902 1904 — 1905 — recommendation, made in the Board’s last nine annual reports, is renewed:

1906 —approved on June 20, 1906, authorized the establishment of a light and fog-signal at this point approved on June 30, 1906, appropriated $15,000 toward the establishment of this light and fog-signal.

March 4, 1907, appropriated $15,000 making the total amount available $30,000. is not sufficient to establish a suitable light and fog-signal.

1909 – Ragged Point, Potomac River, Maryland.—Appropriations, act of June 30, 1906, $15,000; act of March 4, 1907, $15,000; act of May 27, 1908, $5,000.

The metal work was completed and delivered at the light-house depot at Lazaretto Point, Maryland, and the contractor commenced the framing of the structure at Baltimore and the contractor completed his work February 26, 1910. The lens and fog-bell striking apparatus were installed.

The light was shown for the first time on March 15, 1910. It is of the fourth order, flashing white every ten seconds, and illuminates the entire horizon. A bell, struck a double blow every ten seconds to sound a warning to vessels. The structure upon which is placed the lantern is of wood, two stories in height, surrounded by a gallery and resting upon a substructure of seven wrought-iron piles. The fog-bell is placed on the roof on the channel side of the light-house. Total cost, $34,223.97.

During the winter of 1917-1918 ice floes damaged the screw-pile lighthouses in the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River. It became necessary to build up existing protection works as 600 tons of riprap stone were placed to build a mound as an ice breaker. The work began November 10, 1918, and completed April 15, 1919.

1951 – Ragged Point Lighthouse was automated.

July 1962 Ragged Point Lighthouse was dismantled and a skeletal tower with an automated light was erected on the existing screwpile foundation.
The 4th order lens was installed at the Highland Point Lighthouse (Also known as Cape Cod Light) in Massachusetts.