Notes:
(1) Goat Island* Light was built to mark the entrance to Newport Harbor.

      Newport, settled in 1639, was recognized as a ideal trade location and developed quickly into a major seaport due to shipbuilding and the infamous Triangle Trade.  African slaves were traded for West Indian sugar and molasses which was distilled into Newport rum and in turn, the rum was bartered along the African coast for slaves.  Rhode Island merchants excelled in this lucrative commerce over the other colonies.

      In 1703, Fort Anne, named after the reigning Queen of England, was erected on Goat Island to protect the harbor and colonists.  The Earthwork ramparts of the fort were rebuilt as a stone fort with a cannon battery in 1738.  The new fort was named Fort George for the new king.

      In 1749, the construction of the third American Colonial Lighthouse on Beavertail Point recognized Newport as a prosperous colonial seaport.  Beavertail Light, originally called New Port Light, safely guided navigation entering the East Passage of Narragansett Bay to the harbor of Newport.  By the end of the colonial era, the seaport of Newport was trading with England, the West Indies, the Portuguese islands, Africa, South America, and coastal trading with other mainland colonies.

      During the Revolutionary War, the seaport was effectively closed under the British occupation and Naval Blockade of Newport’s Harbor.  Newport residents were forced to use the wharve’s timber as firewood during the cold winters.

      By 1820, shipbuilding and Whaling became prosperous industries again and a Lighthouse was needed to guide navigation into the busy crowded harbor of Newport.  In 1823, a 25-feet high Granite octagonal pyramidal Tower with “Bird-cage” style Lantern Room was built and exhibited a Fixed White Light illuminated by Lewis Patent Lamps.

      The 5-feet high and 4-feet wide Lantern Room of the Tower provided little room for the Lightkeeper to clean and adjust the Lamps as well as poor ventilation caused condensation to form on the lantern glass obscuring the light.  The Lighthouse poorly marked the shallow reef between the Light and the island causing ships to occasionally run aground on the obscure shoal.  In 1838, 8 Oil Lamps and Reflectors were arranged on a circular table to illuminate every direction to increase the power of the Light.

      From about 1836 to World War II, steamboats carried freight and passengers through the passages of Narragansett Bay.  Newport benefited from visitors discovering the natural beauties of Aquidneck Island.  During the summer, room and board houses were filled creating a enterprising real estate boom and America’s first resort.

      In 1842, a breakwater was built over the shallow reef to connect a new 29-feet high rough-hewn granite Lighthouse to the island.  The Fixed Light was illuminated by 15 Oil Lamps with reflectors.  A 6-room Keeper’s House was built and the original Tower was discontinued, relocated to Prudence Island in 1851, and still is maintained as an active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation.

      In 1857, the original optic was refitted with a Fourth-order Fresnel lens increasing the visible range to 11 nautical miles.  In 1865, a new Keeper’s House was built and connected to the Lighthouse.  In 1869, the Navy built a Naval Torpedo Station on Goat Island replacing the Army fort.

      In the 1870s, steamboat companies erected a five-pile beacon at the south end of Goat Island to aid navigating the narrow channel between Goat Island and the mainland during Newport’s Gilded Age.  From 1865 to 1914, Affluent Americans built elaborate summer mansions and villas along Bellevue Avenue and Ocean Drive as Newport became a Victorian resort for America’s wealthy families and a popular destination for middle-class and working-class Americans.  In 1873, a Fog bell was installed at Goat Island Light.

      In 1906, a Navy Torpedo Factory was constructed on Goat Island and became the only manufacturer of torpedoes for the fleet.  Newport became the Navy’s center of operations for torpedo research, development, and overhaul.

      In 1922, Newport Harbor Light (formerly Goat Island Light) was converted to electric power.  Miraculously, the Lighthouse was never damaged by the Naval Torpedo Station until a submarine damaged the foundation of the Keeper’s house in 1922 and the house was demolished in the same year.

      In 1963, the Lighthouse was automated and continues to exhibit a Fixed Green Light illuminated by a 250mm modern optic as an active aid to navigation.  Newport, internationally renown as a resort and yachting center, has become a popular four-season recreational destination due to year-round festivals that highlight the lively maritime heritage.

      In 2005, the American Lighthouse Foundation (ALF) is planning to restore Newport Harbor Lighthouse to its original prominence when the sentinel guided the maritime trade of Newport merchants.  To preserve the historic beacon, the ALF is fund raising $120,000 estimated for removing the failing mortar from the joints of all granite blocks and repointing the stone.  To stop interior water damage, the lantern room and gallery must be repaired and the Tower needs to be repainted.

      For more information about the efforts to renovate Newport Harbor Light, call (207) 646-0245 or eMail ALF at support@lighthousefoundation.org

*Beavertail Light was originally named the New Port Light or Newport Light until 1850. The first Lighthouse at the north end of Goat Island was first called Goat Island Light built to aid maritime commerce entering Newport Harbor.

(2) The original Characteristic was Fixed White.
      1924 Characteristic: Fixed Green, 6,000 cp.

(3) 1838 Optic: 8 Lamps with 9-inch parabolic reflectors, Fixed White
     1842 Optic: 15 Lamps with reflectors
     1939 Optic: Fifth-order Fresnel lens, electric light

(4) After the Light was converted to Electric power and a submarine damaged the foundation of the Keeper’s house.

(5) To help navigating the narrow channel between Goat Island and the mainland, steamboat companies built a five-pile beacon at the south end of Goat Island called Goat Island Shoal Dolphin. In 1891, the Old Colony Steamboat Company refitted the Oil Lamps with Electric light.

      The Lighthouse Service acquired the Light in 1905 and installed a electric powered fog signal. In 1912, a Skeleton Tower replaced the beacon:

 
(6) Directions from I-95 S in Providence, RI:
      Take exit number 9 on the left towards Newport/S. County and Merge onto RI-4 S.
Turn a Slight Right onto Tower Hill Road, take the RI-138 E ramp towards Jamestown/Newport/Bridges, and Merge onto RI-138 E for 8.8-miles.
Take the RI-238 S exit towards Scenic Newport, Turn Right onto RI 138A/RI-238/JT Connell Hwy. for 0.06 miles.
RI 138A/RI-238/JT Connell Hwy. becomes RI 138A/Farewell St/RI-238.
Turn Right onto Americas Cup Avenue (RI-138A) and drive 500 feet,
Turn Left onto Goat Island Connector Road (RI-238).
Drive 0.2 miles and cross over the Goat Island Causeway for 0.34 miles to the parking lot of the Hyatt Regency Newport.

      Newport Harbor Light is to the Right of the hotel on the north end of the island.  Parking at the Hyatt is reserved for guests, therefore inform the staff at the hotel desk that you would like to walk to the Lighthouse grounds, first.  They will show you the best route and if you decide to stay overnight than inquire about a room with the best view of the Lighthouse.

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      Spectacular Cruises of scenic Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay provide picturesque views of the Lighthouse: