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• Rockland Breakwater Light

Rockland Breakwater Light - Located at the end of a 4,300-foot granite pier in Rockland Harbor

When you are in Rockland, it is hard to miss the beautiful Rockland Breakwater Light. Most tourists like to take some time to see the Rockland Breakwater Light (+44° 6' 15.00", -69° 4' 39.00") located at the south end of a 4,300-foot long breakwater. Today it is an active U.S. Coast Guard navigational aid with a characteristic of a flashing white light every five seconds, a range of seventeen nautical miles, and a fog signal that blasts once every fifteen seconds.

In 1902, the W.H. Glover Company of Rockland built a permanent lighthouse at the end of the Rockland Breakwater. The square, red brick tower is attached to a wood-frame keeper's dwelling and a brick fog signal building. The lantern originally housed a fourth-order Fresnel lens. Rockland Breakwater was considered a “stag” station since the keepers' families did not live there.

Rockland Breakwater Light was automated in 1965 and the keepers were removed. The fourth-order Fresnel lens left with them, and its whereabouts are currently unknown. The Coast Guard announced plans to tear down the station in 1973, but the nearby Samoset Resort agreed to take on some of the upkeep responsibilities when public outcry was so great. In 1998, the City of Rockland adopted the station under the Maine Lights Program. Rockland Breakwater Light is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

For excellent views of the breakwater and light, many visitors love to take a ferry to Vinalhaven, North Haven, or Matinicus Island. However, for land views, people can stroll on the breakwater and watch the beautiful local ships glide across the water. Since the breakwater can get very slippery and cool, it is important that people wear appropriate shoes and bring warm layers. In their visit, guests can also attend a lighthouse tour that is available on weekends in the summer months.

We would like to thank Robert English for granting us permission to use his images of Rockland Breakwater Light. You can view more images of Rockland Breakwater Light and Maine Lighthouses by visitng Robert's Flickr page.