The US Coast Guard has confirmed the total loss of the Old Orchard Shoal Light off Great Kills Beach, Staten Island. The historic structure was swept away by Hurricane Sandy on October 29, 2012.
First lit on April 25, 1893, the sparkplug lighthouse in lower New York Bay has marked a large shoal area for the past 119 years.
Post Hurricane Sandy. photo: US Coast Guard Northeast
Old Orchard Shoal Light on September 22, 2012, photo taken during WHC’s Lighthouse tour. photo: Mitch Waxman
Listed on the National Park Service’s Maritime Heritage Program as one of New York’s Historic Light Stations and one to visit, the Old Orchard Shoal Light was one of the lighthouses featured on the recent Working Harbor Committee Lighthouse tour, held just a little over a month ago on September 22, 2012.
Old Orchard Shoal Light on September 22, 2012, photo taken during WHC’s Lighthouse tour. photo: Mitch Waxman
Post Hurricane Sandy. photo: US Coast Guard Northeast
Little did we know that we would not see this historic sparkplug structure again. Now, crumbled remnants of her concrete landings on rip rap are all that remain.
by Mai Armstrong for Working Harbor Committee
6 comments
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November 9, 2012 at 11:40 am
Michelle Sager
It appears you have photos above of both Orchard Shoal & Robin’s Reef. I have photos of both from the Sept. lighthouse tour as well.
November 9, 2012 at 11:44 am
Working Harbor Committee
Thanks for pointing out my error. The image has been corrected.
November 12, 2012 at 12:15 am
engulfing mist « The Newtown Pentacle
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November 20, 2012 at 2:29 pm
Den
Staten Island south shore hope to see old orchart light rebuild
We grew up watching lighthouse from land
Please bring back to great kills
April 4, 2013 at 8:34 pm
Robert (BOB) Knight
I am updating an article I wrote for the World Lighthouse society and would like to include the Old Orchard Shoal Lighthouse photos from this site. The article is about the Waackaack range light that had Old Orchard as one of its ranges. If Ok, please tell me how to include your credits.
Thanks,
BOB
April 4, 2013 at 9:37 pm
Working Harbor Committee
Hi Bob,
Thanks for contacting us. The lighthouse photos were taken by Mitch Waxman who can be reached at waxmanstudios@gmail.com
Could you please contact him for permission and accreditation details. Thanks again for your kind support.
Best,
Mai