Lime Point Light

File:USCGlimepoint.JPG

The brick structure for the Lime Point Lighthouse was built in 1883{{cite web|title=Marin County Points of Interest|url=https://noehill.com/marin/poi_lime_point_lighthouse.asp|website=noehill.com|publisher=NoeHill|accessdate=7 December 2017}} as a fog-bell signaling station. It was eventually fitted with coal powered {{convert|12|in|adj=on}} steam whistles. During operation, the facility included the fog signal building, a coal shed, water tank and a two-story keeper's quarters. The keeper's building was later upgraded to include a third floor.{{cite web|title=Lime Point Lighthouse|url=http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=146|website=LighthouseFriends|publisher=Lighthousefriends.com|accessdate=7 December 2017|language=en-us}}

In 1900, a lens lantern was hung on the south-east corner of the fog signal building, at a height of {{convert|20|ft}} above the water. In 1902, the coal-powered steam horn was modified to use crude oil to reduce operating costs and smoke pollution.

On June 3, 1960, the cargo ship India Bear rammed the lighthouse station in heavy fog.Shanks / Shanks, Guardians of the Golden Gate, S. 157f. The ship's captain only realized at the last minute that the India Bear was about 180 meters off course. Despite an immediate reverse maneuver initiated, the bow of the ship ran aground on the ledge. The Lime Point Light Station sustained $7,500 in damage (most notably the facility's toilet was completely destroyed) in the accident, while damage to the freighter was $60,000.Shanks / Shanks, Guardians of the Golden Gate, S. 158. A subsequent investigation into the incident identified high winds, which rendered the foghorn signal ineffective, and currents in the strait as causes of the accident.

Lime Point Lighthouse continued to operate after the completion of the Golden Gate Bridge since it remained an effective position for a light and fog horn, even though Fort Point Light, at the South end of the bridge was decommissioned. Lime Point was automated by the United States Coast Guard in 1961, and the three-story dwelling and other buildings were torn down, leaving only the fog signal building, which remains.

File:Lime Point Light Station beneath the Golden Gate Bridge.jpg|Side view of Lime Point Light

File:Lime Point Light.jpg|Lime Point Light with Golden Gate Bridge in the background

File:Freighter India Bear after her 1960 ramming of Lime Point Light Station.gif|alt=|The freighter India Bear after ramming Lime Point Light in June 1960

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• List of lighthouses in the United States

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• [http://www.us-lighthouses.com/displaypage.php?LightID=10 Lime Point Lighthouse Page at www.us-lighthouses.com]
• {{gnis|1809032|Lime Point Lighthouse}}

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{{Lighthouses of California}}

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Category:Lighthouses completed in 1883

Category:Lighthouses in the San Francisco Bay Area

Category:Transportation buildings and structures in Marin County, California

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