Relighthing Ceremony
Another Date Set
October 16, 1999
Cheryl Roberts
UPDATE
MOREHEAD CITY, NC

The press release concerning the relighting ceremony slated for Saturday, November 13, 1999 to begin at 4 PM appears below ...

NEWS RELEASE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
OUTER BANKS GROUP
For Immediate Release
Robert E. Woody

Rescheduled Ceremony for Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Relighting Will Be On Hallowed Ground

The Saturday, November 13th, ceremony for the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse relighting will take place on the original grounds of the 1870 Cape Hatteras Light Station in Buxton, North Carolina. Following the ceremony, the lighthouse will be permanently relit after having been extinguished March 1, 1999 in preparation for its relocation. People attending the evening ceremony which will begin 1 hour before sunset may sit in the vacant footprint left after the historic lighthouse was moved 2900 feet to save it from falling into the Atlantic Ocean. The old site of the lighthouse is marked with a circle of large granite boulders which formed part of the lower plinth stones when the lighthouse occupied the spot.

The 4 PM ceremony will begin with the U.S. Coast Guard Group Cape Hatteras presentation of colors and The National Anthem sung by Hatteras Island resident Joy Wegner. The program includes brief comments by representatives of International Chimney Corporation, the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Park Service, and Dare County Commission Chair Geneva Perry.

Bett Padgett and William "Mojo" Collins, both of whom have recorded songs on compact discs, will sing original lighthouse ballads. Dave Grieder, of Frisco, NC will sing the benediction. A Coast Guard military fly-over is also scheduled for the ceremony.

"While the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse has been 'relit' on occasions in the past, this particular event will symbolically signal the beginning of a new historical era for this structure, one in which stewardship, trusteeship, and individual responsibilities for the preservation of our national heritage, will become part of the history of this lighthouse" said Chris Bernthal, Cape Hatteras National Seashore Acting Superintendent. "The first 129 years of history of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse are not lost. The American people chose the best places for their parks because they felt themselves at their best in them. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouseâs history captures the best of the American character. Saving it has only added to its glorious history and strengthened it as a place of wonder and reverence, and as a vessel of the American experience."

The National Park Service invites all interested visitors to come and enjoy this celebration of new beginnings for the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. People attending the ceremony are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or ground blankets so that they may sit and enjoy the activities.

THE CAPE HATTERAS LIGHTHOUSE RELIGHTING
4:00 PM, Saturday, November 13, 1999
Master of Ceremonies ... U.S. National Park Ranger John A. Gillikin

Presentation of Colors ... Group Cape Hatteras Color Guard, US Coast Guard

Pledge of Allegiance ...Ranger John Gillikin, National Park Service

The National Anthem ... Joy Wegner, Music Teacher, Cape Hatteras High School

Invocation ... Reverend James Huskins, Hatteras United Methodist Church

Welcome ... Acting Superintendent Chris Bernthal, Cape Hatteras National Seashore

The Lighthouse, The County, The State and The Nation ... Chairperson Geneva Perry, Dare County Board of Commissioners

Dedication and Commitment ... Chief of Resources Management, Steve Harrison, Cape Hatteras National Seashore

House of Light ... William "Mojo" Collins

Lighthouse Navigational History ... Captain John Cook, US Coast Guard

US Coast Guard Fly-Over ... Air Station Elizabeth City, US Coast Guard

The Relocation Project ... Mr. Rick Lohr, International Chimney Corporation

Hatteras, if a Lighthouse Could Speak ... Bett Padgett

A New Era of History Begins ... Superintendent Chris Bernthal

Recognition of the Lighthouse Volunteers ... Superintendent Chris Bernthal

Benediction Let the Lower Lights Be Burning ... Dave Greider

Relighting of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse ... Park Ranger/Historian Rob Bolling

*********

October 1, 1999

Outer Banks Group Office Manteo, NC
Telephone: (252) 473-2111
Fax: (252)473-2595
Cape Hatteras NS
Fort Raleigh NHS
Cape Lookout NS
Wright Brothers
NMEM

Schedule of Events
UPDATE
Last Updated October 16, 1999
Cheryl Roberts

The new lighthouse site is an area of 3.1 acres surrounded by natural growth. The light of the lighthouse will gain an advantage at a new height to put the beacon out across Diamond Shoals. A Notice to Mariners for light-out was issued for March 1st.

May until early June: installation of the main beams with hydraulic jacks that lifted the tower. The next step was to install the roll beams upon which the tower moved.

Eary June the slide began. Moving about 50-100 feet per day it took until early-July.

Early July until early September the tower arrived at the new foundation, be lowered onto the concrete pad, all steel removed, and concrete infill to complete its new foundation will be done.

Phase 2 will begin and work on details including parking, utilities and such begins.

The relighting ceremony has been rescheduled for Saturday, November 13, 1999 at 4 pm.

Memorial Day 2000 reopening is planned. Nothing specific has been announced, but a ceremony will likely be in order.

Sign Up for Lighthouse Society Announcements
Feb 1, 1999
Staff Report

The Outer Banks Lighthouse Society updates the progress of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse move ... sign up to receive e-mail updates.

Chamber's On-line Auction
Expanded Auction
October 16, 1999
Staff Report
NEWS
KILL DEVIL HILLS, NC

The Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce announced a new On-line Auction has been added to the Chamber's website at www.outerbankschamber.com The On-line Auction will feature one Outer Banks Vacation package per month with assorted combinations of stays donated through Outer Banks real estate companies, hotels, motels and inns, rounds of golf, sporting adventures, unique Outer Banks gifts, gift certificates to local businesses, and more! Packages will be up for bid twice each month.

"Our silent and live Chamber Auctions have been such a success over the years that we realize people enjoy the excitement of a bidding war," according to Auction Chairperson Lisa Cafferty. "Adding an on-line Auction enables us to continue the fun year round while opening the bidding process to those around the world who might want a chance to bid on an Outer Banks vacation getaway."

The On-line Auction also offers a unique marketing opportunity to Outer Banks business owners.

"The new On-line Auction offers the chance for us to highlight businesses who make donations, showcase their products and services, and draw attention to the diverse offerings which the Outer Banks has to offer year round," according to Chamber President John Bone. "We feel this is a great opportunity for our Chamber as well as businesses who wish to participate and for those who love the Outer Banks to pick up weekend getaways, weeklong stays, special gifts and items at a special reduced rate."

The current package is a one week stay in a deluxe home sponsored by BD&A Home Construction. Package high bids are automatically posted as bids are submitted. The bidding cycle is twice a month.

Those interested in checking out the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce On-line Auction can click on the Auction icon or go directly to the Auction page at www.outerbankschamber.com/auction/. Participants must be 18 years of age or older to bid on Auction items.

For more information or to make a donation to the On-Line Auction, call 441-8144.

Lighthouses Escape Damage
Cape Hatteras Update
September 23, 1999
Cheryl Roberts
UPDATE
MOREHEAD CITY, NC

Hurricane Floyd posed no threat to the lighthouses of North Carolina. The brunt of the storm went inland after landfall south of Wilmington.

Bald Head Island reports water and sewer damage on the island. This lighthouse has weathered hurricanes since 1818, so it is truly the seasoned veteran!

Ocracoke Lighthouse has been through this sort of test since 1823 and is doing fine, just as are Cape Lookout (1859), Cape Hatteras (1870), Bodie Island (1872), and Currituck Beach (1874). The United States Lighthouse Service builders did their jobs well! The island of Oak Island took a beating, but the light station, built by the U.S. Coast Guard in 1958, is in good condition.

Photos courtesy Bruce Roberts

In the image "brickwork" (9/18/99) [Large Image] you can see the columns of brick about to fill the entire underside of the lighthouse.

The 147,000 bricks-strong foundation of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was completed on the afternoon of September 14th, as reported by the National Park Service.

At this writing, masons are cleaning the stone of the granite entry steps and first plinth. International Chimney, Inc,. general contractors for the move, report that the stones and steps should be reset beginning next week and will take about two weeks to complete. This is a LOT of work!

Photos courtesy Bruce Roberts

The image "brickwork up close" (9/18/99) [Large Image] shows you the specially-fired bricks, which were manufactured to withstand 6,000 psi. This is the last time you will see under the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse!

Phase II will begin, which includes the building of a comfort station, a parking lot, revegetation, etc.

The windows of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse are still boarded up because manufacturers are overloaded with window replacements following Hurricanes Dennis and Floyd. The windows are likely to be replaced with whatever is available to fit and secure the open spaces, then later they will be replaced with more historically correct reproductions when funds are available.

Photos courtesy Cheryl Shelton-Roberts

The final image "PKQ from atop" (9/18/99) [Large Image]is from the gallery deck of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. As you can see, the gained elevation kept this (and the Double Keepers Quarters, out of the image to left) high and dry. What timing for this move!

The re-lighting ceremony has been rescheduled for Saturday, November 13, 1999. We will send the press release concerning the re-lighting ceremony of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse when the National Park Service issues one. An archive of these lighthouse updates are located at http://ecnews.outer-banks.com/backissues.asp.

West of the Outer Banks, flood damage to areas stretching from Greenville to Goldsboro, Rocky Mount, Kinston, and north into Virginia has been devastation of historic proportions. If you would like to help, contact your local Salvation Army or the Red Cross for groups helping those in need.

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