Title:
Ledge Light: A local landmark
Author:
Kimball, Carol W.
Subjects:
Ledge Light
H. R. Douglas, New London firm
New London Ledge Light first called Southwest Ledge Light
New London Ledge Light misnomer because it is in Groton waters
Ghost named Ernie
Coast Guard
Avery Point Branford House estate
H. R. Douglas, New London firm
New London Ledge Light first called Southwest Ledge Light
New London Ledge Light misnomer because it is in Groton waters
Ghost named Ernie
Coast Guard
Avery Point Branford House estate
Object ID:
Kim12-048
Object Name:
Scrapbook
Category:
8: Communication Artifact
Subcategory:
Documentary Artifact
Publisher:
The Day
Publication Place:
New London, CT
Pubication Date:
08/03/2009
Collection:
Carol W. Kimball
Summary:
New London Ledgelight is a local landmark easily viewed from Ocean Beach, Eastern Point or Avery Point that was constructed almost a century ago to guide vessels to the busy New London harbor. Master diver Capt. Thomas A. Scott built its square timber foundation on the Groton shore and towed it into position over Southwest Ledge Shoal where it was filled with concrete. It was topped with a three story brick building constructed by the New London firm of H. R. Douglas. Originally called Southwest Ledge, because of a Southwest Ledge Light at New Haven, the name was changed to New London Ledge to avoid confusion. It was built near the home of philanthropist Morton F. Plant whose Branford House estate at Avery Point lies not far away. Jim Streeter, an avid local historian, claims this is a misnomer because the Light House really stands in Groton waters. The light first flashed on in 1910 with a Fresnel lens handbuilt by Henry Lepaute in Paris and it ran by clockwork. After a sucession of keepers, the Coast Guard took over operation of the light July 1, 1939. Of course the tale is incomplete without mention of the legend of Ernie, a former keeper who is said to have learned his wife left him for the captain of a Block Island ferry in 1936 and it is told that Ernie committed suicide by jumping off the lighthouse roof. Mysterious noises and sudden dooor closings are said to be caused by Ernie's tortured spirit. However, Jim Streeter has, thus far, been unable to find any historical evidence of a keeper named Ernie.
People:
Scott, Thomas A., Master diver
Douglas, H . R.
Plant, Morton F.
Streeter, Jim, local historian
Lepaute, Henry
Ernie the Ghost of Ledge Light
Douglas, H. R. (firmO
Douglas, H . R.
Plant, Morton F.
Streeter, Jim, local historian
Lepaute, Henry
Ernie the Ghost of Ledge Light
Douglas, H. R. (firmO
Search Terms:
Ledge Light
New London Ledge Light
Ghost named Ernie
Coast Guard
New London Ledge Light
Ghost named Ernie
Coast Guard