Screwpiles: The Forgotten Lighthouses

danger to commerce commensurate with the cost of erecting one. He then wished to know what would be the estimate for a light there, if one were needed. He was told about $15,000. Now, said Goode, “just state that on paper”. The official then wrote a line to Mr. Goode stating that, agreeable to his request, he would state that such a light as he suggested at the mouth of the Nansemond would probably cost $15,000, but added that the bureau did not recommend a light as necessary at that point. Armed with this letter, Mr. Goode wended his way to the Capitol, intent upon serving the interests of his constituents…. When the appropriations for light-houses were under consideration some Southern member moved an amendment for range lights in a certain harbor. His amendment passed, and Mr. Goode, seeing his opportunity, arose in his place, and stated that he wished a small appropriation of only $15,000 for a light at the mouth of the Nansemond. He added that he also had a letter from the board regarding it, but that he would not trouble the House with having it read at that time. His little appropriation was ground through under this false pretense. Mr. John Goode boasts that he obtained more money for his district than all the other Virginia Congressmen together. He said that “he had obtained an appropriation of $33,003 for the improvement of our common harbors for the first time in the history of the country; an appropriation of $13,000 for Nansemond river light-house; $40,000 for the naval magazine; $5,000 for our river and $5,000 for Nansemond river; in all, $150,000 for this district”. We have exposed the trick by which he obtained the $15,000 for the Nansemond light . Reports on the position and necessity of the lighthouse were commissioned. Inspector Baker filed a report on September 6, 1876, stating that the lighthouse was necessary for safe navigation because the channel at the mouth of the river was very narrow. He said, “It is very difficult and dangerous for vessels to attempt the outer river at night.” He went on to say that “the commerce of the Nansemond consisting of lumber, oysters, wood and vegetables, commonly called truck, is quite large and increasing.” His survey found “some four hundred large schooners, some of them were three-masted, with numerous small vessels and several steamers are engaged in it.” Baker recommended the site off Pig Point. Representative Goode was proud of his efforts to procure the funds, as noted in the National Republican on September 2, 1876:

Map showing Nansemond River from Hampton Roads to the town of Suffolk. Note Pig Point, the 1878 site of Nansemond River Lighthouse. Courtesy of the Library of Congress

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