Conimicut Shoal Lighthouse is the 2nd light to be built at the shoal. The first light was constructed of granite in 1868, and utilized a 4th order Fresnel lens. A wood framed keepers quarters was built in 1873 adjacent to the tower on a wooden pier, but was destroyed two years later by a very large ice flow. The keeper then moved his residence to the Nayatt Point Light across the bay, which was deactivated after the Conimicut Light was constructed.
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The present day cast-iron tower was constructed in 1883, after the original light had deteriorated and been razed. The original 4th order Fresnel lens was transfered into the new 58 foot tall 3-stage tower. In 1960, the lighthouse was the last of America's lights to be converted from gas to electricity. The beacon was automated in 1966, and is still active. I snapped this photo while aboard a 3 hr Narragansett Bay cruise from Providence to Newport.
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