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National Park Service Rangers closed America’s tallest lighthouse after a section of the support braces, which holds the stairway in place, broke off and fell to the landing below.
Ranger Warren Wrenn of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore said one visitor was nearly struck by one of the chunks that fell off. Park rangers immediately closed the lighthouse, disappointing the many people who were about to make the climb to the top of America’s tallest beacon.
A further inspection by park officials reveled several other weak spots in the support beams that hold the staircase in place.
Park officials, citing safety as their primary concern, said the lighthouse will remain closed until repairs and safety studies can be made.
However, park officials were quick to state that they did not believe that the recent 2900-foot move of the lighthouse is related to the problem. They believe it is probably just an age problem, since the stairway is 130 years old.
Over 200,000 people climb to the top of the lighthouse each year.
This story appeared in the July 2001 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.
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