Seeing Cockspur Island Lighthouse
1979 with family for the first time
TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | OCT 2020 27
painted white during this this time (the first mention of her tower’s color in
historical papers). The Cockspur Island Lighthouse would again remain lit,
unfailing, until she was deemed no longer needed as a navigational aid and
her light extinguished on June 1, 1909.
I am appreciative to the extremely helpful and knowledgeable rangers at
Fort Pulaski, National Park Service staff and members of the United States
Coast Guard that shared valuable historical information about the Cockspur
Island Lighthouse. From mailing copies of historical papers to even pulling
out old photographs from fort’s files and making copies (while my brother
and I enjoyed a reprieve from the summer heat in the air condition!). One of
these photographs showed the Keeper’s house built atop the fort’s parapet.
This house replaced the Keeper’s house that was destroyed by a hurricane
in 1881.
My favorite historical photograph was actually discovered in a book
where it had been contributed by the Fort Pulaski National Monument. It
depicts a boat landing attached to the Cockspur Island Lighthouse via the
top of the stoop of the outer stairs at the entrance doorway. Members of
Lighthouse Board/Coast Guard are standing on the islet at low tide between
the lighthouse and their small row boat. At the end of the landing near the
boat is a ladder used to access the landing and walk to the tower. This boat
landing is also referred to as a “high-water access” or “high-water boat
landing.” The photograph was dated around the early 1890s. According to
information gathered from the USCG, the boat landing was constructed of
“piles cased with yellow metal” in 1868. It was repaired and lengthened
several times up until the early 1900s.
On March 18, 2007, the light in the Cockspur Island Lighthouse was relit
for the first time in almost a century; a glorious moment in her history!
The new light would be a solar powered light. It would shine for historic
purposes only, not as a navigational aid.
Later that year I would return to Fort Pulaski on a terribly hot, muggy,
humid day...okay it was a typical June day in Savannah! The tide was high
that day, so it was not possible to walk to the very end of the overlook trail
where it connected to the riverbank. This would have been the closest
view to the Cockspur Island Lighthouse while staying on the larger island.
So I walked until the water started lapping over my sneakers and stood
to gaze at her through the yellow haze of the day. Looking out across
the river’s water, it was easy to imagine this current lighthouse tower as
new as the day it was erected. Standing tall and true on the little oyster
covered islet with a fresh coat of whitewash allowing her to glisten brightly
in the sun. Her light shining for mariners to see and verify their location.
It was a memorable day! Now it bears mentioning that most of my family
members might not be as thrilled about hiking the overlook trail as I am (as
some have chosen to wander around the fort or even stay in the climate
controlled visitor’s center)! But, over the years they have definitely acquired
an appreciation for “my lighthouse” even if not to the degree of fondness
I have for her.
Between 2007 and 2009, I became more conscious of checking tide
charts prior to planning the next hike down the overlook trail. The entire
overlook trail and the river bank are only exposed at full low tide. This is
due to the fact that at full high tide the entire islet that the Cockspur Island
Lighthouse stands on is fully immersed with raging water crashing against
the base of the tower reaching almost to the top of the outer staircase
and the entrance door. During the Hurricane of 1881, the interior of the
lighthouse was actually flooded with storm water. The hours in between
full high tide and full low tide keep the river bank and the overlook trail
covered with water at varying degrees. To help the tower’s base withstand
the daily contact with the waters, the back (the eastern side facing the
ocean) was designed like the prow of a boat. This design was planned to
help break and therefore reduce the impact of the waves against the base.
It was during the trip in 2009 that I experienced my first of several visits
inside the Cockspur Island Lighthouse. She is just as striking on the inside
as she is on the outside. You can just feel the years of history she holds
inside her swirling in the damp musty air!
It is vital to remember that the tower is currently closed and off limits to
visitors, as she is not safe to enter due the desperate need for preservation
work. Respect her safety as well as your own by viewing her from afar...via
the overlook trail on the larger Cockspur Island or by water.
The rain has tapered off here to a slight drizzle, though thunder is
still rumbling in the distance. I hope you have enjoyed reading about
the Cockspur Island Lighthouse, and the next time you are in town pay
her a visit. I have heard that there are plans for a viewing platform to be
constructed on the overlook trail to offer a better view of the Cockspur
Island Lighthouse! Now if you would like to get a superb view of the
lighthouse and islet via the water, Harvey Ferrelle, president of the Friends
of the Cockspur Island Lighthouse offers fun boat rides at reasonable rates
with his tour boat company, Sweet Lowland Tybee Tours, located on Tybee
Island. Ask for Captain Harvey and tell him I sent you!
To purchase a copy of my book Discovering Georgia’s Cockspur Island
Lighthouse, An adventure memoir, email me at acowens@nctv.com. A
portion of all sales are being donated to the preservation effort of this
special little lighthouse, so she may stand for years to come.
The book includes an exuberant rendition from the 2009 first trip inside
the tower! A special feature not to be missed is a chapter that consists
of original color photography, taking the reader on a visual tour of the
tower. When perusing this chapter, you will begin standing on the small
oyster covered islet. After going up the outer brick staircase (carefully
as the bricks are often slick) and crossing the threshold into the tower,
breathe deeply and take in her history! Carefully climb the inner curved
brick staircase (that never has had a hand rail). You are now at the middle
landing that at one time housed the “guest book” in a plastic bag. Also, on
this landing leans a wooden ladder that you will climb to go to the upper
landing that houses the lantern room. Accessing a small metal door that
is low to the floor you are now out on the gallery. Caution is needed as the
railings are worn and weathered. Reverse your steps down to the front
door, saying goodbye and returning to the islet via the outer brick. You will
have now toured the Cockspur Island Lighthouse via photographs!
To further assist in the preservation effort you can donate through the
Friends of the Cockspur Island Lighthouse. Thank you!
Signing the guestbook
inside the Cockspur Island
Lighthouse 2009
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