COCKSPUR ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE
Tybee Island, Georgia
Made it to Savannah the night before and slept at a Howard Johnson's. Funny about the way some folks congregate in the back of motel parking lots and party. Anyway, a bright and early start had us heading out over the causeway to Tybee Island. You can see Cockspur Island from the bridge, but we saw Tybee Island light first and then coming back, we stopped and took pictures.
As you can see the light is no longer in service. It began its history as the South of two lights, the North and South Channel Lights, put into operation in 1848. Their purpose in life was to guide ships up the Savannah River to the port of Savannah. The northern one, located on Oyster Bed Island, was sadly destroyed during the Civil War, but the southern one on Cockspur Island, remained standing and was reestablished as an operational light up to 1949.
The tower and focal plane reach to 46 feet. It once housed a 4th order lens. Most books I have referenced, show this light standing on an island. No more island. Just water, like with Morris Island in South Carolina.
Here's how I saw it:
OF THE MOUNTAINS
John B Caddell
Copyright 2001