Tag: storm

#GLOUCESTERMA #NOREASTER MORNING AFTER BACKSHORE, ROUGH SURF, ATMOSPHERIC LIGHT, SEINE FIELD, GOOD HARBOR BEACH SURFERS, PEARLY SUNRISE, MACKEREL SKY, DOGBAR BREAKWATER

Posted on by Kim Smith

After the October nor’easter – photos in this morning’s beautiful atmospheric light.

#GLOUCESTERMA #NOREASTER LIGHTHOUSE, GOOD HARBOR BEACH, BACKSHORE, BRACE COVE, TWIN LIGHTS ROCKERS AND ROLLERS

Posted on by Kim Smith

Photos from 10:00 this morning, about half an hour before high tide.

GREAT NEWS FOR STRAITSMOUTH ISLAND AND CONGRATULATIONS TO PAUL ST. GERMAIN AND THACHER ISLAND ASSOCIATION!!

Posted on by Kim Smith

A huge shout out to Thacher Island Association and president Paul St. Germain for winning an Essex National Heritage Area partnership grant to restore the elevated pedestrian lighthouse walkway on Straitsmouth Island.

Paul St. Germain writes, “We will restore the original C 1850, 220-foot granite and wooden timber walkway to provide safe and easy access for the public to visit the lighthouse from the keeper house. This walkway has been there since 1854 and was destroyed sometime in the 1930’s. Besides its usefulness it has also been an iconic signature of the island’s profile for over 80 years.”

This unique 1906 photo shows the 315-foot walkway, the oil house, and keeper house, as well as Thacher Island’s Twin Lights in the distance.

Facts about Straitsmouth Island Light Station

  
  • First lighthouse was established in 1835 to mark the entrance to Rockport Harbor.
  • The lighthouse was rebuilt in 1851 and again in 1896.
  • A 6th order Fresnel lens was installed in the lantern in 1857.
  • The current Victorian styled keeper house was built in 1878 similar to the one on Thacher Island.
  • In 1932 the light was converted from white to green.
  • Coast Guard moved the station to shore at Gap Head and sold the island to private parties in 1934.
  • Coast Guard continues to maintain the light as an official aid to navigation today. In 1967 the island (except for the lighthouse) was donated to Massachusetts Audubon Society who maintains it as a wildlife sanctuary.
  • Straitsmouth Island was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
  • In 2010 the lighthouse and 1.8 acres of land was given to the Town of Rockport by the coast guard.
  • In 2014 the Town of Rockport signed a long term 30 year lease with Mass Audubon for the use of the keeper and oil houses.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THACHER ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE AND STRAITSMOUTH ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE, VISIT THE THACHER ISLAND ASSOCIATION WEBSITE HERE

Straitsmouth Island pounding waves after March nor’easter

Paths of destruction winter storm damage Riley Long Beach #GloucesterMA

Posted on by Catherine

Damage everywhere we looked this morning, low tide, about 8am, March 4, 2018. With surf high at low tide, we expect the next high tide to surge more.

Guts of seawall exposed Winter Storm Riley March 4 2018 Gloucester MA Long Beach ©C Ryan _151948 (47)
Long Beach seawall sink holes

Long Beach seawall; Rockport Road; Gloucester and Rockport

Some evident damage to coastal homes in Gloucester MA and front row cottages by Long Beach pedestrian walkway. Surf inside and out found paths of entry.

The Long Beach pedestrian bridge was damaged. The boulder barrier seawall was cut down by half, maybe more.

dramatic change sea wall cut down by half Winter Storm Riley March 4 2018 Gloucester MA Long Beach ©C Ryan _151948 (32)

rip rap exposed as far as the eye can see, Long Beach (looking from Rockport back to Gloucester, MA) Note every platform from the stairs was ripped away

video of surf looking to Gloucester end of Long Beach. Would not risk this walk at storm high tides- note multiple crests with each surge Continue reading “Paths of destruction winter storm damage Riley Long Beach #GloucesterMA” →

Storm, Darkness, Injury, and Caveman First Aid

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin

FirstAid4765wmLast night, after being taken home by the wonderful CATA ADA (disability) lift bus, I walked into a dark and empty house. Finding no matches to light a candle, I located my dad’s 1970’s rechargeable flashlight. Still no matches, even though we had just bought three hundred at the dollar store. I opened the freezer door, and as it swung shut, it bit me. Not wanting to bleed all over the floor, I grabbed a napkin and a rubber band. My nurse friends may hate me, but all is well. Then the power came back on. I just had to laugh.

RoboCop Appears to be Thawing – Will he get free in time?

Posted on by Lowell Peabody

Caught in a wicked storm RoboCop had frozen solid within the ice. Now he could feel the sun and his energy was recharging. Soon he will break free to wreak  justice on the not so innocent…His prayers have been answered.  Little does he know another storm is already fast approaching which could prolong his confinement!!

Can you see RoboCop?
Can you see RoboCop?