Romer Shoal Light

Romer Shoal Light is a sparkplug lighthouse in Lower New York Bay, on the north edge of the Swash Channel, about 3⁄4 nautical mile (1.4 km; 0.86 mi) south of Ambrose Channel and 2+1⁄2 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

Location	South of Ambrose Channel, New York Harbor
Coordinates	40°30′46.823″N 74°0′48.672″W
Tower
Constructed	1838
Foundation	Concrete / cast iron caisson
Construction	Cast iron
Automated	1966
Height	54 feet (16 m)
Shape	Frustum of a cone -- sparkplug
Markings	White bottom, red top including lantern
Heritage	National Register of Historic Places listed place
Fog signal	Horn: 2 every 30 s
Light
First lit	1898 (current tower)
Focal height	54 feet (16 m)
Lens	Fourth-order Fresnel lens (original), 7.5 inches (190 mm) (current)
Range	15 nautical miles (28 km; 17 mi)
Characteristic	Flashing white twice 15 s
Romer Shoal Light Station
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
New Jersey Register of Historic Places
Nearest city	Highlands, New Jersey
Area	less than one acre
Built	1898
Architect	U.S. Lighthouse Board
MPS	Light Stations of the United States MPS
NRHP reference No.	06001304[1]
NJRHP No.	3713[2]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	January 24, 2007
Designated NJRHP	August 16, 2006

History and description

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

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Monmouth County, New Jersey

References

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

External links

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