FHBRO # 90-110

LOL # 1024

BUILT 1884

POSITION 46 24 06.6 N 64 08 02.4 W on the point at Cape Egmont near Fishing Cove

LIGHT White light: flash 2 seconds, eclipse 3 seconds

FOCAL POINT 21.9 m (72 ft)

TOWER HEIGHT 12.8 m (42 ft)

NOMINAL RANGE 19.3 km (12 miles)

This coastal lighthouse is an important light for the fishing and other marine interests along the south west shore of the Northumberland Strait, as it is the only coastal light along the 74 km (46 mile) coast between the lighthouses at West Point and Sea Cow Head.

Laurent Perry was the builder of this square pyramidal tower which is built on the same design as Cape Bear and Wood Islands Lighthouses. The classical theme of these lighthouses is reflected in the pleasing proportions and the graceful transition from tower to lantern. The shingled lighthouse is enhanced by decorative details including pedimented windows. A concrete foundation replaced the tower’s original foundation in 1946. An oil shed originally built in 1883 was removed in 1958. The attached dwelling was also removed in 1958. Severe erosion of the 10 m (33 foot) cliff caused the lighthouse to be moved a short distance inland in April 2000, closer to the tall telecommunications tower and associated building.

One of the longest serving light keepers on the Island was the late Jean Wilfred Gallant- better known as Jack Ferdinand. He and his wife Marie Leonie (Richard) lived at the lighthouse during the ice-free months. They had five of their nine children while living there; some of them were born in the lighthouse.

The lighthouse was operated by a generator which had to be kept going all night. Every four hours the keeper had to go to the top of the lighthouse to wind the weights that operated the clockwork mechanism that rotated the light. In later years, they only had to go to the lighthouse to start it up at sunset, so they were able to stay at the family homestead which was about 1.6 km (1 mile) from the lighthouse.