Lighthouse Explorer Database ... Stratford Shoal ...

07/22/03 6:55 AM

1-800-758-1444

Name: Stratford Shoal Light

Also known as: Middleground Light

Also known as: Middle Ground Light

Nearest Town or City:
Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States

Location: Long Island Sound, midway between Long Island, NY, and Connecticut.

Click to enlarge: 23Kb    317Kb

Photo: Jeremy D'Entremont

Managing Organization:
U.S. Coast Guard

Notes:
A lightship, the LV 15, was stationed at Stratford Shoal in 1838. The lightship was driven off its station several times by ice and storms. It was replaced by the lighthouse in 1877.

Tower Height: 35

Height of Focal Plane: 60

Characteristic and Range: Flashing white every five seconds.

Description of Tower: Octagonal granite tower attached to keeper's dwelling.

This light is operational

Other Buildings?
1877 granite keeper's quarters integral to tower.

Date Established: 1877 (12/15/1877)

Date Present Tower Built: 1874-78

Date Automated: 1970

Optics: 1877: Fourth order Fresnel lens. 1988: 300 mm; now VRB-25.

Fog Signal: 1879: 1,144-pound fog bell and Stevens striker; 1883: Second class Daboll trumpet; 1891: Third class Daboll trumpet; 1932: First class siren. Now automatic fog signal with one blast every 15 seconds.

Current Use: Active aid to navigation.

Open To Public? No.

Directions:
Stratford Shoal Light is best seen by private boat, but it can be seen distantly from the Bridgeport-Point Jefferson (NY) Ferry. Call (203) 367-3043 for information. The ferry carries passengers and autos year round and there are frequent departures from both ports.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Keepers: William McGloin (1877-1880); William F. Pratt (first assistant 1877-1883); James G. Scott (1880-1885); John McGlauhlin (second assistant 1881); John Ninde Buckridge (second assistant, 1878-1881); Hudson Fowler (second assistant, 1881); Ezra S. Mott (second assistant 1881-1883, first assistant 1883-1885, head keeper 1885); Joseph Collins (second assistant, 1883-1885, first assistant 1885); Christopher Collins (second assistant, 1885-1886); John P. Hutchinson, Jr. (second assistant, 1886); Julius Koster (assistant) (c. 1904-05); Morrell Hulse (assistant) (c. 1905); Emil Usinger (c. 1915); J. A. Burke (additional keeper, 1921); Henry R. McCarthy (1921-?); John Tatay (assistant, c. 1930); Lewis J. Allen (c. 1931-1933); Alfred Auger (assistant c. 1933); John J. Horlacher (first assistant, ?)