Bristol Ferry, Rhode Island
Harbour Lights #359

In the 1800’s, the strait between Bristol and Portsmouth became increasingly busy! The Bay State Steamboat Company built a small, lighted beacon at Ferry Point in Bristol to assist the vessels serving the textile mills of Fall River, Massachusetts on their way to New York City.

It was not until 1853, when local Captain William Brown, master of the 320-foot steamer Bay State, presented his “eloquent” argument, in the form of a letter, to the Lighthouse Board that the appeals of many mariners were heard. The source of their concern was, despite the fact the strait was less than six hundred yards long, the Narragansett Bay was treacherous. Hog Island Shoal in the center of the passage and Musselbed Shoals, less than a quarter mile on the opposite shore, were a clear and present danger.

On August 3,1854, the Lighthouse Board went to Congress and received an appropriation of $1500 for both the lighthouse and the keeper’s dwelling. A suitable site was purchased for $100. It is interesting to note that every year after construction, the structures would flood because they were built in a slight depression of the earth’s surface. It was not until 1917 when the Lighthouse Board decided to raise the floors 12” and improve site drainage.

On October 4, 1855, the Sixth Order lens, lighted by a whale oil powered lamp, was exhibited from a 28’ brick tower and wood lantern room that was along side a three bedroom, one and a half story keeper’s dwelling. In 1902, a Fifth Order Fresnel lens, powered by electricity with a fixed white light, took over.

In 1916, it was determined that the original wood lantern room was to be replaced with an iron one from the old Roundout Lighthouse (Hudson River, NY) and the tower was raised six feet.

In 1927, construction on the Mount Hope Bridge began to replace the ferry between Bristol and Portsmouth. During construction, the Bristol Ferry Lighthouse was retired and a temporary offshore skeletal tower light became the navigational aid. When the $5 million dollar, mile-long suspension bridge was completed in 1929, the light from the temporary tower was retired.

Today, Bristol Ferry Light, sold and renovated in the 1990’s, is a private residence and is not open to the public.