What year was the Ocracoke lighthouse built?

Answer 1

In 1789 Alexander Hamilton was given authorization to investigate the feasibility of constructing a lighthouse to aid mariners sailing around or to the Outer Banks. The result was a recommendation to construct two lighthouses, one on the island of Ocracoke to guide ships into the Ocracoke Inlet and the other on Cape Hatteras as a light to warn ships away from the land and the dangerous Diamond Shoals. Authorization was granted in 1794, however, due to numerous delays primarily caused by weather and sickness, it wasn't until 1803 that a lighthouse was completed. The first lighthouse was not built on Ocracoke Island but on Shell Castle Island inside the Ocracoke Inlet. This original light was built by Henry Dearborn. It was a 55-foot tall wooden structure. In 1818 the lighthouse was struck by lightning and burned down. The current lighthouse on Ocracoke Island was built in 1823 by Noah Porter. It is a brick lighthouse that is covered with masonry and painted white. A fourth-order Fresnel lens was initially installed. The smaller lens was used since the lighthouse was considered a harbor light. The larger first-order Fresnel lens were used for the taller coastal lights. Even so, the light could be seen from about 14 miles away.

Answer 2

In 1789 Alexander Hamilton was given authorization to investigate the feasibility of constructing a lighthouse to aid mariners sailing around or to the Outer Banks. The result was a recommendation to construct two lighthouses, one on the island of Ocracoke to guide ships into the Ocracoke Inlet and the other on Cape Hatteras as a light to warn ships away from the land and the dangerous Diamond Shoals. Authorization was granted in 1794, however, due to numerous delays primarily caused by weather and sickness, it wasn't until 1803 that a lighthouse was completed. The first lighthouse was not built on Ocracoke Island but on Shell Castle Island inside the Ocracoke Inlet. This original light was built by Henry Dearborn. It was a 55-foot tall wooden structure. In 1818 the lighthouse was struck by lightning and burned down. The current lighthouse on Ocracoke Island was built in 1823 by Noah Porter. It is a brick lighthouse that is covered with masonry and painted white. A fourth-order Fresnel lens was initially installed. The smaller lens was used since the lighthouse was considered a harbor light. The larger first-order Fresnel lens were used for the taller coastal lights. Even so, the light could be seen from about 14 miles away.