A third re-lighting of the original third-order Fresnel lens mounted in the top of the Grays Harbor Lighthouse is set for 6 to 9 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 31. With the lens now currently fixed in a permanent north-south facing direction, its bright, broad, white beams will shine nearly 20 miles in each direction.
Tours will be available up the 135-step iron circular staircase leading to the lantern room for a close look at the lens at work.
The clamshell-shaped third order Fresnel lens was manufactured in Paris, France by Henri LePaute and Sons 120 years ago and went into service at the Grays Harbor Light Station in 1898. With its prisms lighted by a 1,000 watt quartz bulb with alternating red and white lights, the light could be seen nearly 20 miles out to sea.
In August of 1992, the lens, which rotated through the assistance of a no longer ecologically acceptable drum of mercury, was turned off and replaced by its current small light manufactured in New Zealand. Permanently mounted to the west balcony railing, that small light operates on a 35 watt bulb that can been seen up to 19 miles at sea on the white sector and 17 miles on the red, with the colors alternating at 15 second intervals.
Relighting project
Following minor modifications to the fixture that holds the quartz bulb and the addition of a new wall outlet by Westport South Beach Historical Society volunteers, on June 30, the light was relit for the first time in 23 years. It was lit again on the Fourth of July.
Coast Guard go-ahead
Advance approval for each lens lighting event must come from the U.S. Coast Guard 13th District headquarters in Seattle. The District sends an official Notification to Mariners prior to each lighting, letting those at sea know when the lens will be relit.
More lightings
According to Westport Maritime Museum and GH Lighthouse Executive Director, John Shaw, the Society is considering establishing some sort of a regular schedule for relighting the lens on a predictable basis in the future, so that locals and visitors can plan ahead to enjoy the Grays Harbor Lighthouse as it originally operated