Self-destructing Lighthouse

by **Pharoslvr** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 7:10 pm

This lighthouse was the most expensive one built in the U.S.(during it's time)...and it lasted for 10 days before it self-destructed.

Can you name it?

Brent

by **island** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 8:58 am

Frankly, I believe I know what lighthouse this is.

by **Pharoslvr** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 9:03 am

by **island** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 9:16 am

"Latrobe's Lament"

by **Hersh** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 9:48 am

If you know it, fill us in !!!!!!

by **island** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 10:09 am

"Qui cherche trouve"
Seek and ye shall find. (or something like that)

This was the family motto of the LaTrobe family, or at least those in Australia, Charles LaTrobe being govenor of Victoria. Now this should really help answer this trivia question.

by **Pharoslvr** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 10:27 am

"Latobe's Lament".....ahhhh yes, Dave,.....as Winslow Lewis looks down from the heaven's with a smile on his face!

Mike....this particular lighthouse was built on "mud flats" and was so heavy [because of all its beautiful embellishments] that it began sinking as constuction was being completed. A few days in advance of the official lighting ceremony, worker's could not only see cracks forming, but they could hear it "hissing & creeeking."
If it could still be seen today, some might consider it one of the most beautiful lighthouses in the world. (Some say that you can see some of the ruins at low-tide).

Brent

by **Zachary** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 12:54 pm

Frank's Island, LA

It featured a 65' tower on an ornate keepers quarter surrounded by a large columned portico. After it fell, Winslow Lewis designed a new tower (portrayed below) that lasted until 2001. That is the one you can see in the water.

by **island** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 1:21 pm

Zachary. I am surprised others on this board did not remember that you had posted the sketch, drawing and other information about Franks before, only a month ago in fact.

by **kinnakeet** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 2:34 pm

They built it on mud flats :?:

I shall now go ponder the sense of that.
Dawn

by **island** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 2:37 pm

The replacement lighthouse was discontinued in 1856. Why did this happen?

by **Zachary** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 4:14 pm

Because the Head Of Passes lighthouse was moved to nearby Pass A L'Outre (where it now stands) and it's more powerful 3rd order fresnel (Franks Island used a Lewis Reflector) rendered the Franks Island LH obsolete.

by **Pharoslvr** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 6:00 pm

Lefton has recently come out with a miniture of "Frank's Island" which is part of their "Lost Lights" collection. If you get the Lighthouse Depot's catalog you can see a photo of it on page 65 on the "winter 2005" edition.
I don't collect Lefton pieces but at $25 it looks like a pretty good deal.

Brent

by **Zachary** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 8:24 pm

Here's a pic of it

by **island** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 8:26 pm

The reason Franks was discontinued was the river filled with silt and the primary channel shifted to Pass a l'Outre so the Franks Island light no longer served a significant purpose. In time Pass a l'Outre met the same fate. (Also see Brent's Sinking Light trivia)

Brent. There are several internet sites displaying this Lefton Franks Island sculpture. Here is another picture.

Self-destructing Lighthouse

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