CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

In 2008, the discovery of deteriorated corners of the foundation of the lighthouse behind the rip rap was made while climbing around the rocks. Additionally the landing platform had started to crumble and become undermined on the northeast and east side. Going thru the history in the National Archives some reports by keepers going back to the very beginning of the commissioning of the lighthouse that there was not enough rip rap placed around the lighthouse and especially the landing platform area and the back facing Huntington/Lloyd Harbor were discovered. The landing platform changed in design many times over the years and eventually became a poured concrete slab on top of rip rap. Not a wise choice as rip rap shifts.

When it came to the damage on the two corners that were able to be partially seen, a marine contractor had come to analyze the cause and degree of damage. After all, the Lighthouse was almost 100 years old and the upper structure masonry had been repaired once already, what could the foundation be like? This area of deterioration was under water much of the day and exposed to a different type of monster.

OVER THE YEARS the rip rap had shifted due to wave action, mild changes in the seabed, ice and so on. The big stone would chip the corners eventually allowing salt water to permeate into the concrete foundation and eventually reaching the rebar. When the rebar was exposed to the salt water for a bit of time, it would start to rust, therefore expanding times 10 and further breaking away concrete. This would continue on and on. The big question became how far had it expanded and damaged the foundation behind the rip rap where it couldn’t be seen!

Marine contractors, who are specialists with under water foundations such as bridge work, were brought in to examine and render opinions. Several engineers that had experience with work similar to this were also consulted. The challenge began and the projected bill grew!

Estimate number one to repair the two corners and protect another, add some stone to the landing deck side and repair the landing deck was approximately $220,000.00. This needed grant money! The first attempt at securing a NYS Matching $250,000.00 grant was rejected.

Then a shocking surprise! The Caumsett Foundation who had been awarded a NYS grant decided they would not be using the funding and NYS advised the Lighthouse that they were going to award the requested $250k grant! Lighthouse personnel were thrilled beyond comprehension.

At high speed, hardcore plans were started for the work by excavating rock away from a corner to examine the foundation up close and personal and get a better idea of what was being faced. This required the mobilization of a barge and a huge grapple in the dead of winter. This will never be forgotten because this was done between Christmas and New Years and it was freezing out there as those involved climbed around the rocks near the open corner to see the extent of the damage. The discovery - it was bad, but could have been a lot worse! Little did was it known that this corner would remain exposed without the rock around it for the next two years as the additional funding needed was raised. The exposed corner was a larger than life visual as tourists got off the boat when visiting the lighthouse. It was advantageous for them to see what was being faced!