The Westport South Beach Historical Society recently received a $6,800 grant from Washington state’s Lighthouse Environmental Programs (LEP) to fabricate, finish and install a new Watch Room exterior door near the top of the Grays Harbor Lighthouse. The grant funds come from the proceeds of sales of Washington Lighthouse specialty license plates.
Project target
A critical component of the Historical Society’s Strategic Plan to restore the Grays Harbor Lighthouse is the replacement of the Watch Room exterior door. This door is an element of the original steel upper works, and is the only access point to both levels outside the upper structure. The door allows safe access to the Watch Room balcony and to the ladder and scuttle up to the Lantern Room’s deck walk.
The door is also essential for use by USCG Aids to Navigation Astoria Sector personnel that inspect and service the current light mounted on the west side of the lens level railing.
The door is mounted into the outer rolled steel sheeting wall at the top of the steps between the Watch Room level and the Service Room below it. It is in close proximity to all visitors and currently can only be secured with the addition of a metal bar wedged behind the mechanism.
Door problems
The door frame is so corroded, it no longer functions properly to allow closure and offers no surface sufficient for weather stripping to stop windblown rain that allows water migration to lower levels of the lighthouse tower.
This condition existed when the Historical Society took over the Grays Harbor Light Station and has continued to deteriorate at an increasing rate.
Project plan
The Historical Society’s Lighthouse Committee evaluated the situation and received Board approval to seek a grant for the approximately $6,800 cost of fabricating, finishing and installing a new door frame, sills and panel doors with marine-style locking ‘dogs’ for closure. The work will be accomplished with the aid of original Lighthouse plans and specifications acquired and preserved by the Historical Society.
We feel this project reflects a solid step in preserving this lighthouse that can be accomplished prior to the fall and winter seasons. It’s an element of planned upper works restoration that can be isolated and completed independently of other projects. This will stop further deterioration to the surrounding area from windblown water and also assure our ability to keep the outer decks and spaces secure.
Lighthouse license plates
We are grateful to Lighthouse Environmental Programs for funding this element of our long range restoration goal at the Grays Harbor Lighthouse and encourage folks to participate in the lighthouse specialty license plate program to help continue funding vital restoration projects like this one.
To learn more about the program, go to: www.washingtonlighthouses.org
John Shaw is the Executive Director of the Westport Maritime Museum and Grays Harbor Light Station.