Move Accelerates
March 4, 1999
Cheryl Roberts
UPDATE
HATTERAS ISLAND, NC

The first photo shows the steepened headline on which the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is perched today. The image was taken about noon March 3rd, and the tide is almost exactly between high and the approaching low tide around 3 PM.

Photos courtesy Bruce Roberts

Workers are making good progress coring and mining the granite foundation rock. This is a slow process involving the careful removal of the stone foundation and replacement with temporary shoring (support). The National Park Service reports that the movers have discovered identification on one of the plinths (the eight sided, stepped granite stones around the base of the lighthouse) marked in soapstone and still evident from around 1868. This is approximately when the plinths would have been put in place by crews of Dexter Stetson, foreman of construction for the U.S. Lighthouse Service (then known as the Light-House Board). There's brick rubble and mortar holding the stone together in the foundation, as recorded in Light-House Board documents. The workers removed some of the plinth stone yesterday, and very well-bonded rubble masonry was found underneath. Movers are keeping the same numbering as the original builders for this plinth.

Plinth one, below grade, will be removed and stored for resetting after the move. Plinths 2-5 will move with the tower.

Photos courtesy Bruce Roberts

The second photo shows the Double Keepers' Quarters well on its way last week down the move corridor to the relocation site.

And the third photo is an aerial looking West, showing you the cordoned-off construction site, the cleared move corridor, and the Double Keepers' Quarters at the new site, waiting for its companions. The double-wide trailer in the right background is the temporary visitors center.

Photos courtesy Bruce Roberts

Not seen is the Principal Keeper's Quarters, endearingly called the "Pink House," just out of the picture to the right. It is planned to be moved during the week of March 7.

Note the fading sandbags in front of the tower, the only line of defense remaining.

Injunction Filed to Stop Construction

Feb 22, 1999 Cheryl Roberts UPDATE HATTERAS ISLAND, NC Photo courtesy Bruce Roberts

An injunction to stop work at the construction site at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was filed in U.S. Federal District Court in Greenville, NC by the Dare County Commissioners along with three private property owners. No date has been set by Judge Terrence Boyle for the hearing.

Updates will be posted as more information becomes available. Meanwhile, the move is continuing well!

Workers have begun coring and mining some of the foundation stone. The picture of the steel beams by the lighthouse shows the beams that will become the steel mat laid on top of the original 1870 wood timber mat to help spread the load of the lighthouse evenly. Movers will dig down approximately six feet and as stone is removed and temporary shoring support is put in its place, these steel beams will be inserted as space opens up. They are welded together to make a uniform mat upon which other parts of the support/lift system will be installed.

To complete this phase of the move takes a great deal of time. Movers work slowly and carefully each step of the way.

Keepers Quarters Moved
Feb 25, 1999
Cheryl Roberts
UPDATE
HATTERAS ISLAND, NC

The following images show the Double Keepers quarters being moved today on rubber tire dollies (aircraft sized tires and hydraulic assembly). The Principal Keepers Quarters will be moved in about two weeks.

The second image shows the lighthouse's original granite foundation exposed by excavation. The timber shoring beams are resting on the 1870 pine timber mat. Movers have begun mining the stone and replacing it with the temporary support system. The stone will be mined over the next several weeks and replaced with strong support that allows the transport system to be installed.

Photos courtesy Bruce Roberts

It's really happening. The Cape Hatteras Light Station is being moved to safety to be preserved for future generations.

Lighthouse Foundation Cut Begins
Feb 15, 1999
Cheryl Roberts
UPDATE
HATTERAS ISLAND, NC

As of February 12 the diamond cable saw was put to work to begin the foundation cut. This is the first step to free the tower from its endangered perch in preparation to move it back from the encroaching sea.

Photo courtesy The National Park Service

Sign Up for Lighthouse Society Announcements
Feb 1, 1999
Staff Report

The Outer Banks Lighthouse Society will update the progress of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse move throughout the Spring ... sign up to receive e-mail updates.

Photo courtesy Bruce Roberts

The double keepers quarters are showing considerable progress toward readiness for relocation. Movers encountered asbestos last week and due to environmental compliance, the move of this dwelling will be delayed a few more days.

Note the dewatering pipes to the left of the picture.

The new site is an area of 3.1 acres surrounded by natural growth. The light of the lighthouse will gain an advantage at a new height to put the beacon out across Diamond Shoals. A Notice to Mariners for light-out will be issued for March 1st.

The lighthouse will be reopened for full visitation Memorial Day next year. Meanwhile, history is in the making.

For those of you planning to attend the great event while it is in progress, you should be able to see the height of activity between the last half of April and first week of June.

One of the photos shows you the machinery that powers the diamond cable saw (above) that goes around the lighthouse and a second image (below) shows you the first cut that was accomplished at 8:22 AM on February 13, 1999.

Photo courtesy The National Park Service

Preparation of the keepers' quarters continues and both houses are scheduled to be moved within the next two weeks.