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The lighthouse at Southampton Shoal was built to mark a
two mile hazard east of
Angel Island. The station,
completed in 1905, housed a fifth order Fresnel lens and
a 3000 pound fog bell. The station itself was a beautiful
two story Victorian built on pilings,
with accommodations for two keepers.
Early life at Southampton Shoal was a struggle. The station
nearly fell into the bay twice in its first year of existence,
at first due to erosion, followed shortly thereafter by the
1906 San Francisco earthquake (which permanently tilted several
of the supporting pilings). The station's isolation in the middle
of the bay, along with its cold, damp environment, added to
the misery of the early keepers.
The station collected fresh water via its roof - which
was easily fouled by the numerous gulls in the area.
The keepers had to make sure they did not throw anything
into the bay which might attract gulls, and set up
wire around the lantern room balcony to deter would-be
visitors from landing.
The only access to the mainland was by boat,
and the journey could be a hazardous one.
One Christmas, Keeper Ole Lunden's in laws came to
visit the lighthouse to celebrate the holidays. Upon
returning to shore, the keeper's boat engine failed.
The four passengers where swept by the currents into the
path of a ferry, which narrowly avoided them. The
boat finally made its way to the Immigration Station
on Angel Island.
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