A decade after the establishment of Blackwell Island Lighthouse, the Lighthouse Board was authorized to establish an electric light on Hallet’s Point, 2,300 feet northeast of Blackwell Island Lighthouse, to guide mariners through Hell Gate, which runs between Wards Island and Queens. The name “Hell Gate” is an Anglicization of the Dutch word hellegat, meaning a “bright strait” or “clear opening.” Prior to the establishment of Hell Gate Light, mariners were forced to anchor until daylight rather than try to pass through the narrow and difficult channel.

250-foot tower erected on Hallet’s Point Photograph courtesy National Archives

Due to the cost of land near New York City, the Lighthouse Board was forced to lease rather than purchase land for the light. The contractors for the fabrication and erection of a 250-foot-tall iron tower suffered a setback when their derrick failed while putting in place the third section of the tower. The third section and other parts of the tower were damaged in the accident, delaying the establishment of the light until October 20, 1884. The Lighthouse Board reported the new light “completely illuminated Hell Gate channel, furnishing a light as strong and as useful certainly as moonlight, and sufficient to enable even sailing vessels to go through the gate in safety.”

The Brush-Swan Electric company installed Porter-Allen steam engines in a brick building to supply the electricity for nine, 6,000-candlepower lights atop the tower. Due to the limited size of the Government lot, the brick building had to be placed directly beneath the tower along with a second brick building to house the keepers. Daniel W. Fox was hired as the first keeper of the light at an annual salary of $1,000, and he was assisted by three men.

Not long after it was established, the Lighthouse Board received numerous complaints about the light at Hallet’s Point. Steamship companies claimed “that the light was so brilliant that it dazzled the eyes of the pilots, and prevented them from seeing objects beyond the light or correctly judging distance within its radius; also that its shadows were so heavy that they often assumed the appearance of obstacles, and that to all intents and purposes the electric light was a nuisance and a hindrance rather than a help to navigation.”

The powerful electric lights atop the tower were discontinued on December 1, 1886, and in their place a small lantern was shown from a stake at a height of twenty-five feet. The 250-foot-tower and the brick buildings, boilers, dynamo, and lamps were subsequently sold at auction. A wooden tower, which was fifteen feet square at its base and had a height of twenty feet, became the new home to Hallet’s Point Light on February 15, 1889. The Coast Guard still maintains a light on Hallet’s Point today to guide mariners through Hell Gate. This modern light is mounted on one of the light poles used to illuminate Whitey Ford Field.

1882 – Appropriated by act of Congress for one or more electric lts. at Hell Gate, N.Y. August 7, 1882, $20,000.

1883 – The Board was authorized by act of August 7, 1882, to establish one or more electric lights at Hell Gate, New York, and $20,000 was appropriated for that purpose. The amount being insufficient to do the work and buy the site, which was found to be quite expensive, owing to its proximity to New York city, authority was given to the Board by act of March 3, 1883, to lease the ground, which has been done. Plans for a tower 250 feet high, to carry four electric lamps of at least 4,000 candle-power each, were made in the office of the Board, and contract has been made, under which it is hoped that the light will be in operation by the end of the year, when it is expected that vessels will be enabled by it to go through this narrow and difficult channel by night, instead of having to anchor until daylight, as is now necessary.

Hallet’s Point Beacon with buildings from electric light

1884 – Hell Gate (Hallet’s Point), on shore of East River, at Hallet’s Point, Astoria, New York.—At the date of the last annual report the plans for the iron tower for the electric light had been approved. A contract was made for the iron-work and its erection at Hell Gate. The contractors were somewhat behind the specified time in delivering the tower-work at the site, and an extension was granted them; but, later on, when the second section of the tower was in position and the third section was being put into place, their derrick parted and caused considerable damage to the last-named section as well as to some other parts of the structure. This accident put the work back for a considerable period. The revising of the law for the cession of jurisdiction over the site, to cover the additional land required for this station, was accomplished in the meantime, and the work upon the engine and boiler houses commenced and carried forward to completion. The injuries caused by the accident having been repaired, the work upon the tower was promptly resumed and pushed to completion. At this date the Porter-Allen engines for operating the electric apparatus being in place, the station is about ready for lighting.
This station was lighted for the first time on the night of October 20, 1884, when it completely illuminated Hell Gate channel, furnishing a light as strong and as useful certainly as moonlight, and sufficient to enable even sailing vessels to go through the gate in safety

1885 – Hell Gate electric light, Hallets Point, Hell Gate Channel, New York.—At the date of the last annual report the work upon the iron tower and brick boiler-house was nearly completed. It was delayed by an accident which occurred in the early stages of the work. This electric light was inaugurated in October. The light has been maintained with but few interruptions. Its site is held under a temporary leasehold agreement, which permits the purchase of the fee of the land within certain dates and upon certain specified terms. The following recommendation, made in the Board’s estimates for last year as to the purchase of the site of this light, is repeated:
If the land is not purchased at the present time it cannot be obtained for less than $11,000. The land is held at present under lease, which the Light-House Board has no funds to renew. For the purchase of this site an appropriation of $12,000 is now needed.

1886 – So many complaints have reached the Board relative to the electric light at Hallet’s Point, New York, that a circular letter was recently addressed to the various companies known to run steamers regularly through Hell Gate Channel, asking their opinion as to the advisability of maintaining the electric light. The answers received from eleven of the thirty-four firms inquired of, including the companies running the great sound steamers, were to the effect that the light was so brilliant that it dazzled the eyes of the pilots, and prevented them from seeing objects beyond the light or correctly judging distance within its radius; also that its shadows were so heavy that they often assumed the appearance of obstacles, and that to all intents and purposes the electric light was a nuisance and a hindrance rather than a help to navigation. But four firms replied in favor of continuing the electric light, and their expressions were mild in comparison to the vigorous opposition of the others. Petitions have been received for the discontinuance of the electric light, and for the establishment of four inexpensive oil-lights in East River, one of them at Hallet’s Point in place of the electric light, one at Nigger Head, one at Sunken Meadows, and one at Oak Point. The Board recommends, therefore, that the proper steps be taken to authorize the establishment of small, temporary, inexpensive lights at Hallet’s Point, Nigger Head, Sunken Meadows, and Oak Point, New York, on leased land, so that, if need be, the location of the lights may be changed to suit the changes in the channel which are likely to be made by the works now in progress under the charge of the United States engineers. Hallet’s Point light-house site was held under a lease which expired by limitation on March 31, 1886, and has not been renewed. Congress at its last session failed to make the appropriation of $12,000 asked for the purchase of the site, and also for the amount necessary to continue the lease, or even to pay the rent of the site which has accrued since April 1, 1886. The accounting officers of the Treasury have thus far failed, though requested, to authorize the payment of the rent from the appropriations for the maintenance of the Light-House Establishment. The Board, therefore, is left in the possible position of incurring an indebtedness for which there is no appropriation applicable, while carrying out the expressed will of Congress.

1886 – Hell Gate, Hallet’s Point, Astoria, New York— This light was out several times during January, February, and March, by reason of accidents to the boiler. In tracing the cause of the accidents some imperfections were found and remedied. In March the repairs were completed and the light has been ever since steadily maintained. The encroachment of the Sea upon the site was repaired. The site of this light was held under leases from the owner, which have expired.

1887 – Hell Gate, on the shore of Hell Gate, at Astoria, New York.—The electric light having been discontinued a lantern is shown from a stake 25 feet high near the skeleton iron tower. The following recommendation made in the last annual report is renewed:
Hallet’s Point light-house site was held under a lease which expired by limitation on March 31, 1886, and has not been renewed. Congress at its last session failed to make the appropriation of $12,000 asked for the purchase of the site, and also for the amount necessary to continue the lease, or even to pay the rent of the site which has accrued since April 1, 1886. The accounting officers of the Treasury have thus far failed, though requested, to authorize the payment of the rent from the appropriations for the maintenance of the Light-House Establishment. The Board, therefore, is left in the possible position of incurring an indebtedness for which there is no appropriation applicable, while carrying out the expressed will of Congress.

1887 – New Light – Hell Gate, East River, New York (lantern), December 1,1886.

1888 – Hell Gate, on the shore of Hell Gate, Astoria, East River, New York.—The electric light having been discontinued, such of the material as might be of further use was stored at the general depot, the remainder, including the tower, buildings, boilers, dynamo, and lamps, was sold at auction. Congress having made the necessary appropriation, the owner of the land was paid the amount due him on his lease. A small strip of land was leased on which to establish a fog-bell and stake-light.

1889 – Hell Gate, East River, New York.—A wooden tower 15 feet square at the base and 20 feet high was built.

1889 – Hell Gate, East River, New York.—Moved to a new structure to the westward of the former position, February 15, 1889.

1890 – Hell Gate post-light, East River, New York – A lens lantern was substituted for the tubular lantern. A bell and striking apparatus were set in place.

1891 – Hell Gate Post-Light, East River, New York – Earth and stone filling were placed back of the sea wall, and gutters and leaders were fitted on the tower.

1893 – Hell Gate post light, at Hallets Point, Long Island Sound, New York – On December 31, 1892, the characteristic of the light was changed from fixed white to an occulting red and white light every three seconds. The fog-bell apparatus was repaired.

1895 – Hell Gate post light, East River, New York – The tower was rebuilt, and a new foundation was built under the northwest corner.

1897 – Hell Gate post light, East River, New York – The roof of the tower was covered with tin, and a smoke arrester was fitted to the lens.

Hell Gate Keepers:

• Head: Daniel W. Fox (1884 – 1886), Thomas Lang (1887), Arthur Donnelly (1887 – 1895).
• First Assistant: Lawrence Moore (1884 – 1885), Frank Noble (1885 – 1886), Thomas Lang (1886 – 1887).
• Second Assistant: Frank Straub (1884 – 1885), Thomas Lang (1885 – 1886), Arthur Donnelly (1886 – 1887).
• Third Assistant: William N. Mason (1884 – 1885), Levi A. Von Nostrand (1885), James F. Foley (1885 – 1886), Arthur Donnelly (1886), Patrick Curran (1886 – 1887).

References

1. Annual Report of the Lighthouse Board, various years.

The modern light is best seen by boat, but can also be seen on shore in Astoria.

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