Vigilant Guardian

Vigilant Guardian (HMN59)

Location: Barnegat Light, NJ 08006 Ocean County
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Country: United States of America
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N 39° 45.837', W 74° 6.351'

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— Maritime History —

After a long journey across the Atlantic, mariners bound for New York Harbor welcomed the sight of the Barnegat Lighthouse lighting the way. It was constructed in 1834 as a navigational aid to guard Barnegat Inlet. Twenty years later, it was reported to be in poor condition. By 1856 shore erosion caused the lighthouse and keepers cottage to topple into the water.

Construction of a replacement lighthouse began almost immediately and was operational by January 1, 1859. However, its life expectancy was also considered limited because of the constant threat of erosion. Project engineer George G. Meade, however, was determined that it would last.

In 1927 the light was put out of service and replaced by the "Lightship Barnegat" stationed eight miles offshore. After nearly a century of enduring the winds and ravages of the sea, the lighthouse and surrounding 32 acres were designated a State Park in 1951.

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Resistance is Futile
The name Barnegat evolved from a Dutch word Barendegat - meaning "place of the breakers." The name was applied to the treacherous shoals that separate Long Beach Island and Island Beach to the north. The frequently perilous conditions around these shoals, and the loss of the former tower in 1856, prompted engineers to construct a more substantial tower a quarter of a mile from the inlet in a more protected location.
Details
HM NumberHMN59
Tags
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Placed ByState of New Jersey Division of Parks & Forestry and National Park System
Marker ConditionNo reports yet
Date Added Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014 at 12:40pm PDT -07:00
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Locationbig map
UTM (WGS84 Datum)18S E 576587 N 4401940
Decimal Degrees39.76395000, -74.10585000
Degrees and Decimal MinutesN 39° 45.837', W 74° 6.351'
Degrees, Minutes and Seconds39° 45' 50.22" N, 74° 6' 21.06" W
Driving DirectionsGoogle Maps
Area Code(s)609
Closest Postal AddressAt or near 56-62 Maritime Forest Trail, Barnegat Light NJ 08006, US
Alternative Maps Google Maps, MapQuest, Bing Maps, Yahoo Maps, MSR Maps, OpenCycleMap, MyTopo Maps, OpenStreetMap

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