Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Ram Island Ledge Light

ram island ledge light portland, maine
Ram Island Ledge Light
 This is one of the 'sadder' lighthouses in the area. Neglected and very difficult to land at, the Ram Island Ledge Light is visible from Fort Williams as the 'ugly stepsister' of the Portland Head Light. This photo is taken at low tide. At high tide the entire ledge is not visible and a lot of the iron pier disappears in very high tides.

Before the lighthouse was installed in 1904 many boats and ships ran aground on the nearly invisible ledge just off the coast of Portland Harbor.

The lighthouse was sold at auction in 2010 for $190,000 sight unseen...no boats could land for potential buyers to have a look around. One set of lighthouse keepers (they worked in pairs) were stranded on the ledge for 45 days, just 1 mile from land! This lighthouse uses solar power. The granite blocks that comprise the tower came from Vinalhaven Island.

ram island ledge light portland, maine
Ram Island Ledge Light
Ram Island Ledge Light is easily visible and photographed from various locations in the Casco Bay area. These photos were taken at Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth. The lighthouse is also visible on many boat cruises around the Casco Bay.

There is a great photo of Casco Bay taken from the top of the lighthouse on the New England Lighthouse website.

White Cedar Inn Bed and Breakfast 178 Main Street Freeport, Maine 04032

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