Moving the Cape Hatteras
Lighthouse

They said it couldn't be done, that it would topple into the sea as surely as if it was hit by a hurricane. But in June of 1999, the 4,800-ton sentinel began its historic move, reaching its final resting point in early July without losing even one of its bricks.

Perhaps the most recognizable of all the nation's lighthouses, and certainly among the most beloved, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse has been at the center of a bitter debate for more than a decade. The tallest brick lighthouse in the United States, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was built in 1870, 1,500 feet from the shoreline, replacing a lighthouse built near the present site in 1803. Its rotating beacon beams out to a range of 15.8 nautical miles when viewed from exact sea level, providing a landmark for local boat traffic and confirmation of modern navigational methods. It is thought to have survived some 40 hurricanes since it was first constructed, not to mention a series of earthquakes in 1886 with shocks of up to 7.7 on the Richter scale; but over the years, it has grown increasingly vulnerable to the encroaching ocean.

Situated on a picturesque corner of sand that juts into the most dangerous waters of the Atlantic, the handsome spiral-striped tower had lost all but 120 feet of sand as a buffer between it and the sea. As powerful currents and storms eroded the east-facing shorelines and threatened to undermine the 200-foot tall structure and send it toppling over into the ocean, the debate raged just as forcefully over whether to move the historic landmark to a safer location or to shore up the lighthouse at its present location.

The move of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse has sparked considerable debate. 
Photo:   Courtesy of Drew Wilson

Government officials have tried frantically to prevent disaster--certain to occur if they failed to act. The National Park Service has spent at least $3 million studying options to save the structure, piling sandbags at its base and reinforcing rock jetties to deflect threatening waves. A committee formed in 1987 to study options for preserving the lighthouse concluded that the only way to preserve the structure for the enjoyment of future generations would be to relocate it.

A group of prominent citizens lobbied strenuously in favor of shoring up the lighthouse at the present
location, expressing concern that the 4,800-ton lighthouse would not survive the move and that, even if it did, the move would damage its historical integrity.

It has been clear to both sides that, without action, this cherished icon would soon become a pile of black-and-white rubble. Engineers have said that there is an 80 percent chance that, in its original location, the lighthouse would topple in a category four hurricane or in a string of three nor'easters hitting one right after another. Finally, after a $9.8 million appropriation from Congress, plans were finalized to begin relocation of the lighthouse in the spring of 1999.

Thousands of visitors flocked to the site to witness the snail-like move which was accomplished in only 23 days. It was estimated that over half a million tourists and locals visited the site. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse now sits at a safe distance from the sea. The lighthouse's beacon, which was extinguished on March 4th, 1999, in preparation for the move, was relit at a ceremony on in November 1999. The September ceremony was posponed due to hurricanes. This permanent light is actually rotating back-to-back spotlights with 1,000-watt bulbs. In clear weather, the beam can be seen 20 miles out to sea. The lighthouse reopened at its new location in May of 2000.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Trivia

Here are some fun and interesting facts about the Outer Banks' favorite landmark:

• To reach the balcony from the sidewalk, you'd have to climb 257 steps up, plus one down, making about 7 revolutions.

• 1,250,000 bricks were ordered for the structure.

• The tower rests upon Vermont rose granite blocks, set in mortar and resting on a double mat of yellow pine timbers about 7 feet below ground on naturally compacted sand--what is called a "floating" foundation.

• The famous spiral stripes distinguished the Cape Hatteras light from its neighbors and serve as an important daytime identification aid, or daymark.

• Two black and two white stripes on the lighthouse circle the tower; all are wider at the bottom than at the top.

• When it was first built, the cost of construction was $167,500. Laborers received $1.50 a day.

• Three keepers were employed to staff the tower, working shifts of 24 hours on and 48 hours off and standing watches every three days. They were paid $800 a year, plus housing, staple foods, and medicines.

• The lighthouse is one of 406 historic lighthouses, more than 50 years old, still in active use as navigational aids. The Coast Guard intends to retire many lighthouses early in the 21st century.