Romer Shoal Light is a sparkplug lighthouse in Lower New York Bay, on the north edge of the Swash Channel, about 34 nautical mile (1.4 km; 0.86 mi) south of Ambrose Channel and 2+12 nautical miles (4.6 km; 2.9 mi) north of Sandy Hook, New Jersey, in the entrance to New York Harbor.[3][4][5][6] It is in New Jersey, very close to the border with New York.[7] Named as Romer Shoal Light Station, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 24, 2007, for its significance in architecture, engineering, transportation, and maritime history.[8]

Romer Shoal Light
Map
LocationSouth of Ambrose Channel, New York Harbor
Coordinates40°30′46.823″N 74°0′48.672″W / 40.51300639°N 74.01352000°W / 40.51300639; -74.01352000
Tower
Constructed1838 Edit this on Wikidata
FoundationConcrete / cast iron caisson
ConstructionCast iron
Automated1966
Height54 feet (16 m)
ShapeFrustum of a cone -- sparkplug
MarkingsWhite bottom, red top including lantern
HeritageNational Register of Historic Places listed place Edit this on Wikidata
Fog signalHorn: 2 every 30 s
Light
First lit1898 (current tower)
Focal height54 feet (16 m)
LensFourth-order Fresnel lens (original), 7.5 inches (190 mm) (current)
Range15 nautical miles (28 km; 17 mi)
CharacteristicFlashing white twice 15 s
Romer Shoal Light Station
Nearest cityHighlands, New Jersey
Arealess than one acre
Built1898
ArchitectU.S. Lighthouse Board
MPSLight Stations of the United States MPS
NRHP reference No.06001304[1]
NJRHP No.3713[2]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPJanuary 24, 2007
Designated NJRHPAugust 16, 2006

History and description

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An 1870 edition of The Historical Magazine records that the shoal was named after Colonel Wolfgang William Romer, who sounded the waters of New York Bay in 1700 on order of the governor of New York. https://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=655

The Light was heavily damaged during Hurricane Sandy. The non-profit that has taken over stewardship of the Light is working with FEMA and private donors to preserve this national landmark.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "National Register Information System – (#06001304)". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
  2. ^ "New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places – Monmouth County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection - Historic Preservation Office. July 15, 2022. p. 6.
  3. ^ "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: New Jersey". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. Archived from the original on 2017-05-01.
  4. ^ Light List, Volume I, Atlantic Coast, St. Croix River, Maine to Shrewsbury River, New Jersey (PDF). Light List. United States Coast Guard. 2009. p. 204.
  5. ^ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of the United States: New Jersey". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  6. ^ NOAA Chart #12327 New York Harbor 1/40,000 2006
  7. ^ USGS quadrangle for cited location
  8. ^ Koski-Karell, Daniel (August 2006). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Romer Shoal Light Station". National Park Service. With accompanying 7 photos
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