Screwpiles: The Forgotten Lighthouses

Courtesy of The Mariners’ Museum

light whatever should be exhibited on the Rip Raps. … The light house at Fortress Monroe is a governing mark for vessels coming from Norfolk, and by blinding the portion mentioned no inconvenience can be experienced by ourselves.

The light of that light-house is a governing mark by night for vessels coming from Norfolk, and it ought, therefore, I think, (be) at once so blinded by boards or otherwise as to show no light whatever in that direction, and it should be kept so blinded as long as this war lasts as it does. This will occasion no inconvenience to vessels approaching Hampton Roads from the bay or sea. Also, in my judgment, no light should be exhibited on the Rip Raps. I take it that you have abundant authority in the premises, and therefore beg to invoke it to carry out these suggestions if you agree with me in opinion. Under no circumstances would the keeper of the light-house venture to disregard your directions, although he may not be placed immediately under your orders. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, L.M. Goldsborough Battle of the Ironclads, the Monitor and the Merrimac (C.S.S. Virginia ) One of the most significant naval battles of the American Civil War stretched over two days, March 8 through March 9, 1862, in Hampton Roads where the Elizabeth and Nansemond Rivers meet the James River just before it enters the Chesapeake Bay. The battle of the ironclads was a part of the effort of the Confederacy to

L. M. Goldsborough North Atlantic Blockading Squadron Flag-Officer To: General John E. Wool Commanding Department of Virginia, Fortress Monroe. Va

North Atlantic Blockading Squadron From March 8 to September 4, 1862

April 21, 1862 Letter from Flag-Officer Goldsborough, U.S. Navy, to Major-General Wool, U.S. Army, regarding the lighthouse at Fort Monroe: GENERAL: In your note of yesterday you do not allude to my proposition concerning the light-house at Fort Monroe, and, therefore, it may be that I did not make myself sufficiently understood.

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