Notes:
(1) The Third Lighthouse established in America.
      Beavertail Light marks the entrance to Narragansett Bay and was originally named the New Port Light or Newport Light until 1850.

      Rhode Island like Massachusetts is geographically suitable for maritime commerce: the soil of coastal lands is very poor for farming and ideal for good ports.  After the fertile areas were settled, the only alternative for a livelihood was at sea.

      As with Boston Light and Brant Point Light, Lighthouses were needed for the safe passage of trading, fishing, and whaling ships approaching the obscure hazards of landfall.  Lighthouses were one key element to the success of any maritime center.  From 1667 to 1749, a Watch Tower guarded the bay entrance to Newport and a shore fire beacon on Beavertail Point was used to guide ships approaching the Eastern Passage of Narragansett Bay.

      From 1736 to 1739, 54 ships were involved in the profitable triangular trade.  By 1738, the increasing importance of maritime trading influenced the General Assembly to authorize a Lighthouse at Beavertail Point.  The construction, however, was delayed for 10 years due to the King George’s War.

      The first Lighthouse was a 69-foot high Wood Frame Tower, 24-feet in diameter at the base tapering to 13-feet below the Lantern.  In 1754, a fire destroyed the Lighthouse and a 64-foot high Stone Brick Tower was built using a spiral wood staircase to access the Lantern Room.

      During the Revolutionary War, the British controlled Newport Harbor until October, 1779 when American and French forces caused the British to evacuate the harbor.  During the retreat, the British removed the illuminating apparatus and set fire to the Lighthouse.  Repairs restored the Tower to service.

      In 1817, the Federal Government approved a one year contract for experimental gas lighting in the Lighthouse conducted by David Melville, a inventor from Newport, RI.  Melville received the first American Gas Light patent on March 24, 1810 and he formed a partnership with Captain Winslow Lewis, inventor of the Lewis Lamp and Reflector system for Lighthouses, for the manufacture of gas lighting in 1813.

      Apparently, Melville was a inventor ahead of his time since his gas flame burned brighter and cleaner in comparison to candles and oil lamps yet his gas burners were inefficient using tin and cooper pipes that leaked.  For this reason and the whale oil industry interests, the Federal Government ended the Gas Light test at Beavertail Light.  Gas Lighting became more economical in the 1870s with the manufacture of efficient gas burners due to the competition with electric lighting.

      Daniel W. Mattausch has written a intriguing article, David Melville And The First American Gas Light Patents, about Winslow Lewis’ partnership with David Melville in search of better lighting.

      The present 52-foot high natural Granite square Tower was built in 1856.

(2) Beavertail Light Station was also a field testing site for new Fog Signals.

1829 - Hand-rung Fog Bell; 1851 - Horse-powered Fog Horn; 1857 - 5-inch Steam Whistle; 1868 - Daboll horn, Ericsson hot-air engine; 1872 - First-class Fog Signal, Daboll trumpet    1881 - Two 10-inch Steam Whistles 1888 - Crosby automatic Fog Signal controller 1899 - 13 Hp oil engines for signal 1901 - Conical siren

(3) Directions from Providence, RI:
     Interstate Rt. 95 South, Exit 9 to Route 4 South, to Route 138 East and over Jamestown Bridge, Right onto North Main Road, Right onto Narragansett Avenue, Left onto South East Avenue, Right onto Beavertail Road.  Drive to the parking lot at Beavertail Point at the end of Beavertail Road.

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