CAPE HATTERAS LIGHTHOUSE SYNOPSIS-05172000

Cape Hatteras National Seashore - Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Relocation Project - Timeline Page 1 of 6
Cape Hatteras
HISTORY
National Seashore
North Carolina
SYNOPSIS
U.S. Department of the Interior
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
May 17, 2000
National Park Service
As early as the 1500's, when ships depended on wind for power, mariners learned to take
advantage of ocean currents. North- and eastbound vessels followed the Gulf Stream.
Southbound ships followed the Virginia Coastal Current. In each case, ships passed close by
the Outer Banks and the treacherous Diamond and Frying Pan Shoals of Cape Hatteras and
Cape Lookout.
In 1797, Congress recognized the need for a navigational aid in the vicinity of Diamond Shoals
at Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and authorized the erection of a lighthouse. The first light-
house was completed in 1803 and stood about one mile inland from the ocean beach. It was
considered less than satisfactory from the time it first came into service, as it was only 90 feet
high, and the light was inadequate. In 1854, its height was increased to 150 feet, and a first -
order Fresnel lens, the best available, was installed. However, problems with the structure
persisted. Inspections in the late 1860's showed growing cracks in the sandstone structure, and
construction of a new lighthouse was recommended.
The second (and existing) Hatteras Lighthouse was activated in December 1870, and the
original structure was razed. The new light towered 208 feet in height and was located 1,500
feet from the water's edge. With its distinctive black and white candy -cane design, it soon
became a landmark of the Carolina coastline. It is the tallest lighthouse in the United States,
and has served as a primary navigational aid for mariners rounding the treacher-ous Diamond
Shoals. Because of its historical importance to the region and the nation, the lighthouse and its
associated station buildings have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
EROSION PROBLEMS
Responding to the gradually rising sea level of the past several thousand years, barrier island
systems have migrated westward. Hatteras Island is no exception. This migration occurs as
storm -driven ocean tides wash completely over the islands, moving sand sediments toward the
sound shoreline. Because of this migration, barrier islands are among the most unstable
landmasses on the face of the earth. Under these conditions, stationary structures built on them,
such as the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, are inevita-bly threatened.
In 1870, the lighthouse was situated 1,500 feet from the ocean. By 1919, the ocean had
advanced to within 300 feet of the tower and to within 100 feet by 1935. A combination of
natural changes and a number of protective measures postponed the threat for a number of
years.
Over the years, a number of erosion control projects have been initiated at the lighthouse site to
protect the structure. They include:
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Cape Hatteras National Seashore - Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Relocation Project - Timeline Page 2 of 6
1930: Nine hundred feet of interlocking steel sheet pile groins were installed along the beach
shoreline.
1930's: The Civilian Conservation Corps, under the leadership of the National Park Service,
began building a barrier sand dune system along the entire length of Hatteras Island.
Construction of sand dunes was believed by many in the 1930's and 1940's to be a relatively
inexpensive method of preventing over -wash and resulting water damage to any structure placed
behind the dunes. Today, many scientists believe that while the dunes may prevent ocean
overwash during minor storms, the dunes do not prevent the overall erosional process resulting
from increasing sea level. The once wide beaches along the Outer Banks have continued to
narrow until in many places little or no park land exists between the ocean and structures built
on land once "protected" by an apparently solid vegetative stabilized dune.
1933: Additional sheet pile groins were installed.
1936: The U. S. Coast Guard abandoned the lighthouse and transferred ownership to the
National Park Service. A steel skeleton tower was built in Buxton Woods, one mile west, to
assume the function of the threatened lighthouse.
1950: The shoreline erosion problem appeared to have stabi-lized, and the Cape Hatteras
Lighthouse was reactivated by the Coast Guard under special use permit from the National
Park Service.
1966: Three hundred and twelve thousand cubic yards of sand were pumped from Pamlico
Sound onto the beach in front of the Buxton lighthouse area. Because sand from the sounds is
of much finer particles, the ocean soon eroded it away.
1967: Large nylon sand -filled bags were placed in front of the lighthouse to slow erosion. A
few of the bags remain today.
1969: The U. S. Navy built three reinforced concrete groins to protect the Naval Facility and
lighthouse. They were partial-ly destroyed by storms and repaired with sheet steel piling in
1975.
1971: A beach nourishment (sand replenishment) project moved 200,000 cubic yards of sand
from Cape Hatteras Point to the beach in the lighthouse area.
1973: Another beach nourishment project moved an addi-tional 1,300,000 cubic yards of sand
from Cape Hatteras Point to the beach in the lighthouse area. At this time, the ocean was
approximately 175 feet from the old lighthouse ruins which were located 600 feet south of the
lighthouse.
1978: High tides began chipping away at the stone foundation of the old lighthouse ruins.
1980: A severe blizzard in March destroyed the remaining lighthouse ruins. The same storm
flanked the beach anchor point of the southern groin (the one nearest the lighthouse). This
flanking allowed storm driven or high tide waves to flow between the steel and concrete jetty
and the softer sand dunes, eroding more sand with each wave. Emergency protective measures
were initiated in October 1980 as the result of a northeaster. Rubble was placed at the base of
the eroding escarpment nearest the lighthouse. The following month, the groin nearest the
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light -house was extended landward about 150 feet. Unfortunately, the ocean washed
completely around the extension in December and forced a second emergency protection
project as the tide came to a point approximately 50 feet from the lighthouse. The December
project pushed the sea back to about 100 feet from the structure.
1981: Beginning in May, William Garrett installed the first of some 250 units of "Seascape."
Designed by Garrett, these polypropylene devices consist of hollow gravel -filled tubes with
connecting fronds. Dropped offshore in about 10 feet of water, the fronds are designed to catch
suspended sand particles, linking them into an underwater sandbar, thereby helping build up
the beach. In November, a severe northeaster necessitated a third emergency protection project
using additional rubble. Although ocean overwash was common, no erosion was noted in the
immediate vicinity of the lighthouse. The groin nearest the lighthouse was extended landward
another 150 feet in December.
Senator Helms and Governor Hunt united to sponsor a statewide "Save Cape Hatteras
Lighthouse Committee."
1982: In April 1982, a public workshop outlined goals and alternatives for interim and long
range protection for the lighthouse. In July, an Environmental Assessment was circulated
listing protection alternatives developed by the Corps of Engi-neers. The preferred alternative
for long term protection is a seawall (revetment) encircling the lighthouse. Other alterna-tives
under consideration include moving the lighthouse, offshore breakwaters, and additional
groins. For interim protection, in September, approximately 700 sandbags were placed in a
protective dike around the lighthouse. The bags, made of a woven polypropy-lene, were
partially donated by Phillips Fibers, a subsidiary of Phillips Petroleum. In October, an
additional 5,000 units of "Seascape" were installed by the Save Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Committee. The groin nearest the light -house was extended land -ward about 150 feet (it was
last extended in 1980). Although the beach accreted in the late fall, a series of storms in the
winter and into early 1983 proved the continuing vulnerability of the lighthouse.
1983: The Corps of Engineers developed specifications for a scour protection mat, or riprap
sleeve, for the south groin to ensure its integrity and prevent its flanking by overwash. The
Corps began planning and testing for the revetment.
1984: The scour protection mat for the south groin was installed in January and February. The
planning for the revet-ment continued with wave tank modeling at the Corps of Engineers,
Vicksburg, Mississippi, Experiment Station.
1985: Specifications for the seawall/revetment, to encircle the lighthouse, were refined based
upon wave tank modeling results.
1986: Specifications for the seawall/revetment were complet-ed. The Save Cape Hatteras
Lighthouse Committee placed 2,700 additional units of artificial seaweed in August 1986.
1987: Funding secured for seawall/revetment alternative. A private organization, "Move The
Lighthouse Committee," presented documentation of relocation technologies not available in
earlier protection planning. The National Park Service contracted with the National Academy
of Sciences (NAS) for an independent review of all relevant information as to the best long
term protection, consid-ering risks, environmental impacts, visitor impacts and costs.
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1988: In April, NAS presented its final report, Saving Cape Hatteras Lighthouse from the Sea,
recommend-ing that the Light -house be relo-cated. A committee formed by the National Park
Service estab-lished the proposed on -ground location should the lighthouse be relocated. The
National Park Service also began work on an Environmental Assessment of Alternatives.
1989: In early 1989, a topographical map of the reloca-tion area was developed, including soil
testing, to assist in final site planning. The Environmental Assessment was distribut-ed for
public review in June 1989. The Southeast Regional Director announced in December that the
NAS recommended alternative of relocating the lighthouse had been selected by the National
Park Service as its preferred alternative.
1990: NPS funding of $59,000 and a $16,000 donation from the Save Cape Hatteras
Lighthouse Committee were applied to refur-bishment of the sandbag revetment. The project
was complet-ed during the summer. A contract was awarded to International Chimney
Corpora-tion for $946,380 to perform structural integrity restoration of the lighthouse.
Completion of this project improved the light -house's ability to withstand the rigors of
relocation. Other interim protection measures, such as repair of the groin field, were under
study.
1991: The NPS Southeast Regional Office was in the final stages of completing the
environmental requirements for moving the lighthouse. The NPS Denver Service Center
established a team to prepare a Request for Proposals relative to a move.
1992: Work performed under the 1990 rehabilitation contract with International Chimney
Corporation (ICC) was com-pleted. The Save Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Committee donated
$10,000 to fund repairs to the lighthouse roof; ICC performed this work. NPS contracted to
restore the sandbag revetment damaged by the Halloween Storm of 1991. Denver Service
Center (DSC) awarded a contract to Howard, Needles, Tammen, and Bergend-off of Alexan-
dria, Virginia, for site development relative to lighthouse relocation. Contract negotiations by
DSC were underway with a prospective contractor for development of relocation specifica-
tions. In November, a committee appointed by the Regional Chief Scien-tist assessed beach
erosion and risk level at the lighthouse and provided recommendations for interim protection.
1993: Southeast Regional Director requested that the Denver Service Center place the contract
for relocation specifi-cations on hold so that the funds could be used for emergency interim
protection measures. In September, Hurricane Emily damaged the lighthouse lantern deck
handrail and windows.
1994: The southern most groin, damaged over the years by constant battering from the ocean,
was repaired in an effort to improve in -place interim protection. Hurricane Gordon passed
within 100 miles of the area resulting in extensive erosion and dune breaching to the south and
north of the lighthouse. There was also significant damage to the sandbag revetment, the repair
of which resulted in the placement of 380 30004 sandbags to rebuild and strengthen the
protection.
1995: The National Park Service supported two studies to aid in interim protection
management for the light -house. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prepared specifica-tions
and impact analysis associated with installation of a new forth groin to be added south of the
existing groin field. Their study included an estimate of the erosion control effective-ness of
the structure and the expected longevity of the installa-tion. A committee of noted coastal
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engineers and geolo-gists headed by Dr. Robert Dolan of the University of Virginia prepared a
report which synthesized the current knowledge of coastal erosion, inshore ocean climate
including bottom condi-tions, and storm history in the vicinity of the lighthouse. This data will
be used to produce a multi -risk analysis for the light -house which will aid the Park Service in
making interim protec-tion measure decisions. The landward end of the south groin was
rehabilitated with 184 feet of steel sheetpiling.
1996: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issues their Design Report and Environmental
Assessment for the fourth groin alternative. Approximately 300 sandbags (3000#@) are placed
to both the north and south sides of the lighthouse as part of the continuing interim protection
program.
North Carolina State Senate Pro Tempore Marc Basnight commissions a team of North
Carolina State University engineers and coastal geologists/ecologists to revisit and assess the
NAS 1988 report Saving Cape. Hatteras Lighthouse from the Sea.
1997: The report by the Ad Hoc Committee of Faculty at North Carolina State University
reviewing and updating the 1988 NAS report is delivered to North Carolina Senate Pro
Tempore Marc Basnight; the report endorses the NAS report and recommends that if the Cape
Hatteras Lighthouse is to be preserved for enjoyment by future generations, it must be moved,
and moved now. An effort to include within the FYI 998 Federal Budget the $12M needed to
move the light -house falls short; however, $2M was appropriated to begin the planning, design
and request for quotes. The design program underwent a Value Analysis by the Park Service in
December which resulted in a revised program/plan.
1998: A public meeting held in April in Manteo, NC was hosted by U.S. Senator Lauch
Faircloth (NC) and NC Third District Congressman Walter Jones to hear reports from agencies
and organizations involved in the relocation issue, and to provide a forum for private,
individual citizens to express their opinions.
A Request for Proposals for the Relocation of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was issued early in
the year. After a review of proposals by a select committee of National Park Service specialists
and North Carolina State University professors, a design -build contract was awarded to
International Chimney Corporation of Buffalo, NY (ICC) in June. The contract included an
option clause that allowed the Park Service to stop work pending appropriations from Congress
to complete the project. ICC immediately began the planning and design process including
geotechnical and material investigations at the lighthouse site which would help with the move
design planning. In October Congress appropriated $9.8 Million for the project in its 1999
fiscal year budget; and in November the National Park Service signed the contract option for
ICC to proceed.
The Dare County Board of Commissioners filed a Complaint and Motion for a Temporary
Restraining Order, Preliminary Injunction and Permanent Injunction on November 30 in
Federal Court in an effort to halt or delay the project. Meanwhile the National Park Service
completes its construction drawings for infrastructure development of the site following
completion of the move by ICC, and prepares the necessary documents for bid advertising.
1999: The Dare County suit is dismissed; Dare County refiles their suit in which the Dare
County Save the Lighthouse Committee and Mr. John Robert Hooper become partners. This
second law suit is also dismissed in Federal District Court.
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ICC, after staging equipment in December 1998, began construction work in January preparing
the lighthouse and associated structures for moving. The new site and move path was cleared,
and by the end of February, three cisterns, the oil house and the Double Keepers Quarters had
been moved to the new site. The Principle Keepers Quarters was moved to its new location the
following month.
The foundation was mined out from under the lighthouse and the structure lifted in June. On
June 17th the lighthouse began its 2900-foot journey to its new location. The move took a total
of 23 days (including 2 days when there was no forward progress) reaching its new home on
July 9th. The lighthouse was lowered to its proper elevation in relationship with the other out -
structures and a foundation of special brick was built between the concrete footer and the
bottom of the lighthouse. !CC began to demobilize and pulled out in October. There was no
visible or measurable impacts to the lighthouse structure as a result of the relocation.
The lighthouse is relit with ceremony on Saturday, November 13th.
The Phase II construction contract was awarded to JHC Construction, Inc. late in the year.
Phase II involves the development of the infrastructure to support public use of the light station
- utilities, walkways, parking and entrance road, restrooms, etc.
The American Society of Civil Engineers designates the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse as a
National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
2000: JHC, Inc. begins the infrastructure development for the light station early in the year.
The Lighthouse Relocation Project receives national recognition winning the Outstanding Civil
Engineering Award (OCEA) for the year 2000 from the American Society of Civil
Engineering. The project also receives a Grand Award from the American Consulting
Engineers Council for excellence in engineering design.
The Cape Hatteras High School seniors, Class of 2000 become the first public organized group
to climb to the top of the lighthouse, May 19th. The lighthouse opens to the general public on
May 26th. The station grounds will remain closed to entry until JHC finishes the infrastructure
work, expected to occur in mid -July.
last updated May 17, 2000
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