Barnegat Light in Ocean County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
All Shapes, Sizes and Materials
Aids to Navigation
— Maritime History —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 29, 2022
1. All Shapes, Sizes and Materials Marker
Primary seacoast lights were located to warn mariners of their proximity to land, the presence of navigational dangers, and to help set their course. By 1852, however, lighthouses and lightships often looked so much alike that it was difficult to distinguish one from another.
Today, each lighthouse has a “characteristic” or coded sequence of light flashes making it possible for the mariner to identify the light and its location along the coast. For example, Barnegat Light’s “characteristic” was a flash every ten seconds at each point of the compass.
Each lighthouse tower also has a “daymark” or distinctive design and paint pattern. The yellow-black-yellow painted pattern on Absecon Lighthouse helped mariners to distinguish it from others. Some lighthouses, especially those located on dangerous shoals in the harbors and bays, are also equipped with fog signals to warn mariners of potential danger. What other unique characteristics and features help make each of New Jersey’s lighthouses distinctive?
Lighthouses of New Jersey
1. Sandy Hook Lighthouse
2. Robbins Reef Lighthouse
3. Romer Shoal Lighthouse
4. Twin Lights of Navesink
5. Conover Beacon
6. Great Beds Lighthouse
7. Chapel Hill Lighthouse
8. Sea Girt Lighthouse
9. Barnegat Lighthouse
10. AbseconLighthouse
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11. Hereford Inlet Lighthouse
12. Cape May Point Lighthouse
13. East Point Lighthouse
14. Finns Point Rear Range Lighthouse
15. Brandywine Shoal Lighthouse
16. Elbow of Cross Ledge Lighthouse
17. Miah Maull Shoal Lighthouse
18. Ship John Shoal Lighthouse
19. Tinicum Rear Range Lighthouse
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior; State of New Jersey, division of Parks & Forestry.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1852.
Location. 39° 45.813′ N, 74° 6.39′ W. Marker is in Barnegat Light, New Jersey, in Ocean County. Marker can be reached from County Road 607 north of West 3rd Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 208 Broadway, Barnegat Light NJ 08006, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Maritime Sentinels (here, next to this marker); Massacre at Long Beach (a few steps from this marker); Lighthouse Keepers of Barnegat Light (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Salty Survivors (within shouting distance of this marker); Maritime Forest Trail
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 29, 2022
2. All Shapes, Sizes and Materials Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 83 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 2, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
