Cape Disappointment Light House...
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Cape Disappointment Light House is located in Washington State; however, because it shines it's beacon of light across the Columbia River into Oregon we must include it in the Oregon Coast Light Houses.
Cape Disappointment...The first light to shine along the coast.
The Cape Disappointment Light House turned it's light on, October 15, 1856 and still shines today. The light serves as a beacon guiding mariners safely into the Columbia River from the vast Pacific Ocean.
The name "Cape Disappointment" came about from an English fur trader, John Meares. In 1788 John Meares was sailing along the coast looking for the river the earlier Spanish explorers had claimed was there. Well, Mr. Meares never found the river, sailed away and left the name Cape Disappointment. It wasn't until Captain Robert Gray found the river, that later became the busiest waterway in the Northwest.
Cape Disappointment was the prominent structure, marking the way to the mighty Columbia River. 300 feet above sea level, mariners could see the landfall miles out to sea. With a beacon of light at the top of Cape Disappointment, mariners would surely find their way safely to the Columbia River.
The construction of Cape Disappointment Light House went through it's challenges. Similar to today's construction jobs, there were often unseen obstacles that were not identified during the initial planning stages.
A ship carrying the construction supplies and crew, sank while entering the Columbia River. The winds had died leaving the ship adrift amongst the Pacific Ocean's waves the Columbia River's currents. The sea eventually won leaving the construction materials on the bottom. Luckily, the crew survived.
Before modernization, the Columbia River Bar was known as the "Graveyard of the Pacific". Ships would often wait off-shore for days waiting for the precise moment to enter the mouth of the Columbia River. There was no guarantee that the ship would survive.
Another attempt to build Cape Disappointment Light House. Another shipped arrived with construction materials and crew. The entire tower was built; however, the Fresnel Len's did not fit. The Light House required rebuilding.
Cape Disappointment Light House was first fueled with whale oil. The light used over 5 gallons of fuel per night. You can imagine the headaches to make sure there was a constant supply of fuel.
During the Civil War, the army constructed Fort Canby, planted several canons at Cape Disappointment to protect the Columbia River's entrance. Today the Fort is Fort Canby State Park.
In 1965 the light house was nearly shut-off. The Coast Guard believed the Columbia River's entrance was marked very well with lighted buoy's and the Columbia River Lightship. Mariner's exhibited their concerns and the plan was dropped, Cape Disappointment Light House continued on.
In 1973, Cape Disappointment Light House joined the automation age. It is now monitored from Astoria, south across the Columbia River. Visitors can still visit the light house. To get there, follow Highway 101 to the Ilwaco. Once in Ilwaco follow the signs, they are pretty visible. Head towards Fort Canby State Park.
Cape Disappointment also hosts one of the largest search and rescue facilities. It also has the Coast Guard's only heavy-weather Motor Lifeboat School. When you visit the Cape Disappointment Light House check out the Coast Guard Station too.
We'd like to hear about your experience at Cape Disappointment Light House, even publish your comments...submit them here.
Enjoy the Light House,
Craig Dahl - Senior Editor
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