Rhode Island’s Perilous Coast Southeast Light, Block Island (Part 1)

Reprinted from “The Lighthouse Log” Fall 2017.

This article was contributed by Jim Jenney, BLMA Maritime Historian

One of the most dangerous points on the Rhode Island coast is the southeastern corner of Block Island. Although inhabitants lobbied for years to have a lighthouse built at that location, it was not constructed until 1874 and did not go into service until February 1, 1875. Over the years at least a dozen vessels have been lost at or very close to this point including four sailing vessels before the lighthouse was built and eight powered vessels afterwards. This is the first part of a three-part article about those wrecks.