Point Hueneme Light
 Point Hueneme Lighthouse in 2009 | |
 | |
| Location | Santa Barbara Channel, Ventura County, California |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 34°08′43″N 119°12′36″W / 34.1452°N 119.21°W |
| Tower | |
| Constructed | 1874 |
| Construction | Concrete |
| Automated | 1972 |
| Height | 48 ft (15 m) |
| Shape | Square on fog signal building |
| Markings | white art moderne |
| Light | |
| First lit | 1941 |
| Focal height | 16 m (52 ft)  |
| Lens | Fourth order Fresnel lens |
| Range | 20 nmi (37 km; 23 mi) |
| Characteristic | flashing white |
Point Hueneme Lighthouse is a lighthouse on the southeast entrance to the Santa Barbara Channel, in Ventura County, California
History
Point Hueneme Light on the north side of the east entrance to the Santa Barbara Channel is a 48-foot (15 m) high, buff-colored 1940 Art Deco style tower on a fog-signal building.
The original lighthouse was completed in 1874 and replaced with the current structure, which was completed in 1941. The fourth-order Fresnel lens was used in both the original and the current lighthouse towers until 2013. In November 2012, the Ventura County Cultural Heritage Board voted to preserve the 1899 lens by retiring it from active service, so it can be displayed on a lower floor of the lighthouse and more easily viewed by the public.[1] The original 1874 lighthouse was designed by Paul J. Pelz, who also designed Point Hueneme's sister stations, Point Fermin Light in San Pedro CA, East Brother Island Light in Richmond, California, Mare Island Light, in Carquinez Strait, California (demolished in the 1930's), Hereford Inlet Light in North Wildwood, New Jersey, and Point Adams Light in Washington State (burned down by the Lighthouse Service in 1912), all in essentially the same style.
Shipwreck
Probably the most dramatic thing that has happened in recent years within range of the light was a shipwreck over which the lighthouse had no preventive power. The veteran passenger liner La Janelle once removed from her role as a cruise liner, lay at anchor off Port Hueneme on April 14, 1970 awaiting plans for conversion to a floating restaurant and fun palace. The owners were attempting to cut down on moorage costs by leaving the vessel at anchor in the open ocean, directly offshore. That was a bad mistake. With only one watchman aboard, the vessel fell victim to storm-tossed seas which rose to huge activities, causing the 465-foot (142 m) long ship to slip her anchor cables. In a dramatic episode of the sea, rescue parties managed to snatch the watchman from the deck, but the 40 year old vessel, like a wounded whale, was tossed unceremoniously onto the beach, a total constructive loss. The California State Lands Commission became much concerned about the problem both from the standpoint of leaking oil and a menace to navigation. They voted unanimously to have the ship scrapped, "as is, where is," and accordingly put out bids. The big steel ship still remains but is being torn apart bit by bit by human and natural elements.
Lighthouse tours
The lighthouse is federal property operated by the United States Coast Guard. The U.S. Coast Guards Aids to Navigation Team Los Angeles/Long Beach(CG ANT LA/LB) is in charge of operation and maintenance of the lighthouse and Fresnel Lens. Members from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, who are also members of the CG ANT LA/LB, are in charge of the tour and openhouse at the lighthouse. These members are recognized as Lighthouse Keepers by the USCG Auxiliary and Technicians by the CG.
In March 2008, the City of Port Hueneme and Oxnard Harbor District dedicated a new "Lighthouse Promenade", beginning at the Hueneme Sunset Beach alongside the perimeter fence of the port to the lighthouse. The 1/2 mile stroll is on a flat, even surface and allows visitors a leisurely stroll along the beach. There are no public restrooms on property, the nearest public restrooms are at the promenade's entrance at Sunset Beach.[2]
The Point Hueneme Lighthouse is open for tours on the third Saturday of each month, February through October. The hours are 10am to 3pm PST. Admission to lighthouse is free. For more information, please visit the official website at: www.huenemelight.org [1]
External links
- "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: California". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. Archived from the original on 2017-05-01.
- official Point Hueneme Lighthouse website
- Lighthousefriends.com. Point Hueneme Lighthouse
- Maritime Heritage Program. POINT HUENEME LIGHT Inventory of Historic Light Stations: California Lighthouses. National Park Service
References
