On Friday August 7, the historic Nantucket Lightship will once again shine its lights out onto the waters of Boston. Stationed in the dangerous Nantucket Shoals from 1935-1975, the vessel illuminated the rocky passage for shiploads of immigrants as they entered the country, quite literally lighting their way on a safe path to a better life. The Nantucket was also the last land mark seen by ships leaving the U.S. from Boston Harbor and was often referred to as the “Statue of Liberty of the sea.”
In 2012, it was declared a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and a project to fund its renovation so it could be reopened as a museum and educational center began. Thanks to a $250,000 donation by American Express, as well as gifts of various sizes from the general public, the ships navigational light beacon, foghorn and electrical system have all been replaced and updated.
This is not the only historic beacon of marine safety that stands sentinel over the Massachusetts coast, however. On the north shore alone there are 13 lighthouses built between 1870 and 1890 that still stand at their posts. And 7 of the 13 are still in use, like Straitsmouth Island Lighthouse in Rockport and the entirely wooden tower of Plum island Lighthouse in Newburyport.
These lighthouses range along the coast from Marblehead to Rockport and are located in some of the most picturesque locales on the north shore, from pristine beaches to islands in the open sea. The Marblehead Lighthouse, for instance, stands on Marblehead Neck looking out onto where the open sea crashes into Marblehead harbor, shinning its light on the small rocky islands that dot the sea from Marblehead all the way up to Manchester. During the summer, the lighthouse is often the site of wedding photo shoots and you can see tourists and natives alike reclining on the benches scattered around the park situated in the shadow of the tower, staring at the view.
Like these lighthouses, the Nantucket Lightship will soon be an attraction for out of town guests and locals, but its beacon will shine only once more to celebrate National Lighthouse Day. The public is invited to tour the ship and observe the renovations before the lighting of the beacon at sundown, around 8 p.m. The light will be bright enough to see throughout the Boston area, one last night watch for the ship that guided thousands to safety.
Boston Harbor Shipyard & Marina, 256 Marginal St., East Boston. preservationnation.org