Bishop and Clerks Massachusetts
Harbour Lights #366

The scourge of mariners traveling near Hyannis near the south coast of Cape Cod was Point Gammon and the two offshore ledges known as Bishops (the largest of the ledges) and Clerks (the smaller rocks).

In 1816, a lighthouse was established at Point Gammon, in West Yarmouth. The light, although helpful, was not sufficient to prevent vessels from running into the dangerous Bishops and Clerks ledges.

In 1855, the lightship, LV4, replaced the spindle day beacon that had marked the spot since 1851. The lightship also proved not to be sufficient.

On August 15, 1856, with an appropriation of $20,000 a new light was to be built in the spring of 1857.The building of this once majestic lighthouse was difficult. Granite blocks were cut on shore and ferried to the site, where they were pieced together on a cylindrical granite foundation. It was an early American wave swept light, much like the famed granite Minot’s Ledge Light built on the Cohasset Rocks south of Boston.

Standing in the open water, the 65’ tower housed a Fourth Order Fresnel Lens, exhibiting a flash every 30 seconds from a focal point 56’ above the water. Attached to the gray granite tower was a wood addition that housed the fog bell and its clockwork mechanism.

The Keepers worked 20 days on with 10 days off. Their quarters were simple a kitchen and two bedrooms. Supplies including food were brought in once a month and oil was brought in twice a year.

While there were changes to the lighting characteristics, the tower remained as originally built. Automated in 1923, the light was automated with a Fifth Order Fresnel lens powered by acetylene gas. In addition the red sector and fog bell were removed. The light was deactivated in 1928.

Storms and vandals took their toll on the once dramatic light. In 1952, with hundreds of onlookers in pleasure boats, the United States Coast Guard razed the light.

A 30’ pyramidal day beacon marked the spot, where the lighthouse once stood; the day beacon replaced by a small-lighted tower.