Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Height report

Almost every city by the harbor has iconic lighthouses, some of which have become world-famous attractions for their impressive heights and beautiful surroundings. Here we introduce a Cape Hatteras lighthouse located in North Carolina, USA.

In the National Archives of the United States, there is a sketch by George Nicholson on November 9, 1870, which is the original drawing of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. This sketch shows the original design for the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, much like what we see today. It is a towering octagonal structure towering over the surrounding dunes.

The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is located on Hatteras Island, North Carolina, United States, and is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Since the Civil War, the lighthouse has guarded ships passing by this sea known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic. This post will share more interesting facts about the history and size of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Size and Features

The Cape Hatteras lighthouse is both a landmark and a symbol of human conquest of the ocean. The importance of Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is related to its unique location. The Cape Hatteras area is a 300-mile-long barrier island jutting out to sea. Records show that more than 2,000 large and small ships have sunk in the area since colonial times, many of them in a place called Diamond Shoal, a huge underwater sand bank.

The Cape Hatteras lighthouse, first built in 1803, is the tallest brick lighthouse in the world. Approximately1.25 million bricks were used to build the tallest lighthouse in the United States, and the massive structure emits a light every 7.5 seconds to assist ships in passing through the "Graveyard of the Atlantic." Over the years, seawater has eroded the sand surrounding the lighthouse, squeezing the foundation within 160 feet. In 2000, the iconic building was moved 0.8 km inland due to the offset of the coastline.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Height

Standing 61 meters (198.5 feet) tall and weighing 4,800 tons, the Cape Hatteras lighthouse is the 23rd most traditional lighthouse in the world. It is the tallest brick lighthouse structure in the United States and the second-highest in the world. Since its base is almost at sea level, it is only the 15th tallest light source in the United States, while the 14th tallest source is built on higher ground.

History of The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Although Congress approved the construction of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in 1794, years of political struggle slowed construction. It wasn't until 1803, during Thomas Jefferson's administration, the first 95-foot-tall stone tower was erected.

But it was not high enough to allow the boats to see the lighthouse's light in the dangerous Diamond Shoal. After the Civil War, the federal government realized the need for a new lighthouse at Cape Hatteras, so a 58.6 meters (193 feet) stunning light was built on top of the original eight sides. The current Cape Hatteras lighthouse was completed in 1870 when domestic and international maritime commerce was beginning to return to the old war-torn southern port slowly. In its 130-year history, Cape Hatteras has been hit by more than 100 hurricanes.

Final Words

The light from Cape Hatteras Lighthouse has served the surrounding ships for nearly two centuries and is one of the most famous lighthouses in the United States. In clear weather, ships can see it from 32 kilometers away. The tower base is a striking red brick, supporting the tower body composed of black and white spiral stripes, standing high in the air, very eye-catching and even more magnificent. The joy of viewing Hatteras Point Lighthouse is the scenery on the way there. Visitors can also visit the Maritime History Museum, established in the Old Watcher's Residence near the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.