Digest>Archives> Mar/Apr 2013

Nova Scotia’s Louisbourg Lighthouse on the Mend

By Chris Mills

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Deteriorating concrete at the ornate entrance to ...
Photo by: Chris Mills

Canada’s oldest lighthouse site (and North America’s second) is finally receiving a much needed facelift. Located on the east coast of Cape Breton, the current concrete tower sits next to the ruins of the French-built tower of 1734, across the harbor from Fortress Louisbourg. The reconstructed fortress and ruins of the original stone lighthouse are part of a national historic site, administered by Parks Canada. The light was crucial to French naval ships which protected and supplied soldiers and settlers based in this strategic stronghold in eastern North America. The original stone tower, with its wooden lantern illuminated by sperm oil, was badly damaged by fire in 1736. A new fire-proof lantern went into service in 1738, but served only until it was heavily bombarded during the second British siege in 1758.

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Louisbourg Lighthouse with protective covering ...
Photo by: Chris Mills

 Louisbourg’s harbor remained dark until 1842, when workers constructed a massive combined dwelling/lighthouse adjacent to the original tower. This wooden tower burned to the ground in 1922, and in 1923 the current concrete tower went into service. The ornate Greek revival-influenced structure is a twin to the tower on Georges Island in Halifax Harbour, although the Coast Guard covered up the latter’s beautiful detailed window “trim” and lantern deck ornamentation with a coat of concrete “shotcrete” many years ago.

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Louisbourg freshly painted.
Photo by: Chris Mills

  Louisbourg’s tower retains its architectural details, but time has not been kind to the 55-foot tower. The Canadian Coast Guard de-staffed the light in 1990, and in recent years maintenance has been almost non-existent. Chunks of concrete have been breaking off from the tower for years, testament to the structure’s exposure to a harsh marine environment. But finally, in late October of 2012, contractors arrived at the site to begin repairing the concrete and painting the tower. As of mid-December 2012, the lower portion of the tower has been repaired and painted with a latex “gel” paint designed to bond well to concrete. There is evidence that work will continue on the rest of the tower, although many might question the prudence of repairing and painting a concrete tower on the wild coast of Nova Scotia during the fall and winter months!

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Getting ready for renovations at Louisbourg ...
Photo by: Chris Mills

 

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The newly repaired and painted entranceway at ...
Photo by: Chris Mills


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New paint at Louisbourg Lighthouse.  
Photo by: Chris Mills


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Louisbourg Lighthouse, October, 2012.
Photo by: Chris Mills


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Louisbourg’s light shines at dusk.
Photo by: Chris Mills


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An interpretive panel near the lighthouse shows ...
Photo by: Chris Mills


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Former lightkeeper Chris Mills now works as a ...
Photo by: Chris Mills


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Eastern Cape Breton’s dangerous coast.
Photo by: Chris Mills


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Louisbourg Lighthouse, November, 2012.
Photo by: Chris Mills


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Canada’s Brier Island Lighthouse in Nova Scotia ...
Photo by: Anne Mills


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Canada’s Brier Island Lighthouse after the 2012 ...
Photo by: Sis Elliott

This story appeared in the Mar/Apr 2013 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. The print edition contains more stories than our internet edition, and each story generally contains more photographs - often many more - in the print edition. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.

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