Effort to Re-Create Petoskey's Light

by **Grover1** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 11:43 am

From The Petoskey News Review

http://www.petoskeynews.com/articles/20 ... 111100.txt

(Postcard showing 1902 Light)

by **NoahG** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 2:26 pm

Interesting, interesting. I'd be great to see one of these styles alive again.

by **CHUCKX53** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 2:45 pm

From The Story..................

"Moehl has the original drawings of the lighthouse, as well as a scaled down version, and said he contacted the United States Coast Guard headquarters in Cleveland to explain what exactly he needs from them. He said the replica would be a shell that matched the original design, but explained the structure itself would be far less complicated.

“All I want is for (the Coast Guard) to put up a pole high enough so that the light on the pier will be in the focal plain of the window of a light structure,” he said. “I don’t expect the Coast Guard to take care of the pagoda style light structure, which would be simpler than a normal lighthouse.”

Bourland and Moehl added the next steps are to find out whether or not the breakwall would support the base of the replica structure and then to take the plans to a few different iron shops to get an accurate estimate on what it would cost to build the replica and have it installed."

This sounds even more Intriguing......... :!:

by **Terry_Pepper** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 8:28 pm

We will be meeting with Moran Ironworks, the company which built the new lantern for McGulpin Point, next week to identify construction methods and to obtain approximate pricing.

by **NoahG** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:10 pm

I'm getting the impression that the new light will be fabricated from metal rather than wood?

by **Terry_Pepper** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 4:49 pm

Construction of the original was a steel skeleton support covered with corrugated iron. We would likely go with something like 1/8" or 1/4" steel plate for the exterior skin, so that it is strong enough to withstand the waves which roll over the pier. It was such waves which swept the original pagoda style beacon from the pier on December 14, 1924.

by **NoahG** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 4:55 pm

Thanks Terry, for some reason I was always under the impression they had been wood framed. A modern steel beacon should certainly be strong enough to hold up out there on the breakwater. I'm thinking that, using modern techniques, this shouldn't be that difficult, but certainly still a challenge.

by **CHUCKX53** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 7:53 pm

Terry, what would you estimate the timetable for a project of this size ?

by **Terry_Pepper** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 9:37 pm

Chuck, It depends on a number of factors, including total cost, how quickly funds can be raised, and obtaining Coast Guard and Army Corps of Engineers approval. If we can pull it off, my best guess would be somewhere between six and eighteen months - but at this early point, that's just a guess.

by **NoahG** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 4:23 pm

Here's another little bit of history for the full story.

The red square concrete base that the current D9 sits on is the base from the old skeletal acetylene tower that was built to replace the Pagoda light:

I found this picture while searching for images of the current light:

From waterwinterwonderland.com

by **Terry_Pepper** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 5:19 pm

Noah, you are correct, the base for the D9 was the same one erected for the acetylene tower.

The USACE are completely removing the old breakwater, replacing it with a driven sheet sided structure, similar to that at South Haven. As a result, both the concrete base and D9 have been removed. I have also identified with 90% certainty that the keepers dwelling is still in existence.

by **NoahG** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 5:41 pm

Terry, once again I have to thank you as I was not aware that the breakwater is finally being replaced. Any idea on when that is to begin, if it hasn't already? I remember a few years ago when the structure was damaged in a winter storm and the issues raised about it's integrity. As I'm sure GLLKA has planned it, with the new breakwater it makes this a perfect time for the recreation effort.

Now I know it's just a D9, but I have to ask, any idea on it's fate?

by **Terry_Pepper** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:25 pm

Noah, they began work on the breakwater in Petoskey back in May. I posted a couple of early photos on the GLLKA FaceBook page in the Misc photo section on the work back on May 26. I do not currently know what happened to the D9. I read in the Petoskey paper that it was being removed and shipped off for repair, and would be returned, but have not yet confirmed that fact. Did you see my latest post in the "Wind Point" thread on this Board about the repainting of Round Island Passage? You might find that photo of interest, also.

I will likely be heading into Petoskey at some time in the next couple of days, and will take some updated photos of the work there. I also heard that the repaint of the Grosse Ile light was underway about a week ago. Might already be finished, if anyone is heading down that way.

by **NoahG** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:39 pm

Wow I didn't realize how far along the project was, and I'll have to go look at those pictures on the Facebook page that I missed.

I did see those Passage Light pictures, its great to see that work underway. I saw that light on a GLLKA cruise at least 4 or 5 years ago, and even then rust was forming fast, so I can only imagine the shape it was in. Should be sparkling when complete.

by **NoahG** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 9:07 am

I was in Petoskey Monday night. The breakwater reconstruction is well underway and the D9 has been returned.

Effort to Re-Create Petoskey's Light

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