Screwpiles: The Forgotten Lighthouses

In 1864, Lighthouse Board records stated: “Upon the movement of the army of the Potomac to the south side of James river, necessitating the use of that highway as a medium for transporting stores and supplies, the lights at Point of Shoals, White shoals, and Deep Water shoals, were re-established, and have been, up to this time, continued in operation. Their permanency will depend upon their protection from the enemy.” Restoring the Lights and River Traffic After the Civil War The Daily Dispatch published a list of lighthouses, light vessels, and light beacons that were discontinued or destroyed on the Southern coast, but had been reestablished by the Lighthouse Board up to May 1, 1866:

“ Light-houses . -In Virginia-Cape Henry light-house; Craney Island light-house; Naval Hospital light house; White Shoals light house; Point of Shoals light-house; Deepwater Shoals light-house; Jordan Point light house; Back River light-house; New Point Comfort light-house; Wolf Trap light-vessel; Stingray Point light house. Light-vessels . -Upper Cedar Point light-vessel; Smith’s Point light-vessel.” 48 Steamboat Revival Steamboat lines recovered and thrived after the Civil War. Baltimore became a hub of Chesapeake Bay coastal transportation as steamships connected Baltimore, Norfolk, and Richmond with several Atlantic ports. The James River and Kanawha Canal line connected its passengers and freight with steamers and vessels leaving Richmond daily. The oyster industry and truck farming in the Hampton Roads and James River shoreline communities boomed. In 1867, Old Dominion Steamship Company ran

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