| Cleveland Harbor West Pierhead, OH | |
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Description:
Named for the Mohawk word for “crooked,” the Cuyahoga River twists and turns until it empties into the southern shore of Lake Erie. Moses Cleaveland, the area's first white settler, arrived in 1796, and soon the shore near the mouth of the Cuyahoga had grown from a frontier village to an important port city. By 1830 there was enough traffic in Cleveland’s harbor to warrant the port’s first light station, erected around the same time the Cleveland Advertiser “officially” changed the spelling of the city’s name from Cleaveland.
As maritime traffic increased at Cleveland, improvements were made along the city’s waterfront. Piers were constructed on each side of the mouth of the Cuyahoga River, and lights were placed at their outermost ends to mark the river entrance. The black and white photograph at right shows the light and lifesaving station on the west pier, while this historic photograph shows the light on the east pier. Breakwaters were later added along Cleveland’s waterfront to provide a large protected harbor for shipping. A gap between two breakwaters permitted vessels to easily access the Cuyahoga River. Each end of the breakwaters that defined the new entrance to the harbor was marked by a light. These lights can be seen in the background of the image at right (click on the image for a better view). The west breakwater light can also be seen in the background of this photograph. This early west breakwater light was originally used at the entrance to the Genesee River at Rochester from 1881 to 1884 before being relocated to Cleveland. This structure was a short, octagonal tower made of iron, but was later elevated so it could be seen from a greater distance.
Eight people were on board, including a Captain Hazen and his wife Catherine, who was serving as cook. As the barge began to break apart, most of the crew tried to jump onto the breakwater. Three men, aided by Captain Hatch, were able to scramble one hundred feet along the breakwater and reach the safe confines of the lighthouse. Captain Hatch then leaped into a small wooden rowboat to attempt the rescue of those still stranded on the sinking barge. However, by the time he reached the battered vessel, only Catherine Hazen remained unclaimed by the water. Just as he approached the barge, waves swept around Mrs. Hazen. Hatch quickly leaned out, grabbed her, and dragged her into his boat before she could sink out of sight. As he started back to the lighthouse, a huge wave swamped the boat, tossing its occupants into the lake. Wisely, Hatch had secured one end of a line to the cribwork near the lighthouse before setting off in his boat. With one arm around Mrs. Hazen, Hatch pulled himself along the line back to the breakwater. Three other crewmen were rescued by tugs, but Orla W. Smith drowned before he could be reached. As commendation for his selfless act of bravery, Captain Hatch received a rare honor — a gold bar to go with his Gold Lifesaving Medal.
The lighthouse was automated in 1965, and thirty years later, the Fresnel lens was removed and donated to the Great Lakes Science Center, where it is on display. Most of its companion lights have disappeared over the years, but the 1911 West Pierhead Lighthouse still welcomes vessels large and small to Cleveland with its modern beacon that flashes an alternating red and white light every five seconds. Photo Gallery: 1 References
Location: Located at the end of the breakwater on the west side of the entrance to the Cuyahoga River. Latitude: 41.50897 Longitude: -81.7177 For a larger map of Cleveland Harbor West Pierhead Lighthouse, click the lighthouse in the above map or get a map from: Mapquest. Travel Instructions: The best way to view this light is from the Goodtime III, which offers cruises of the Celveland Harbor and Cuyahoga River. The cruises leave from the pier at the end of 9th Street near the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the football stadium. Distant views of the light are also possible from this area. The lighthouse can probably also be viewed while enjoying lunch or dinner aboard the Nautica Queen. The fourth-order Fresnel lens formerly used in the Cleveland West Pierhead Lighthouse is on display at the Great Lakes Science Center. The lighthouse is owned by the Coast Guard. Grounds/dwelling/tower closed. Find the closest hotels to Cleveland Harbor West Pierhead Lighthouse See our List of Lighthouses in Ohio |
Pictures on this page copyright Kraig Anderson, Marilyn Stiborek, used by permission.