Summerside90
Days Gone By
On June 15, 1914, an unwatched dioptric light was established at the outer end of the west breakwater at Port Burwell atop a square, pyramidal, concrete structure that was surmounted by a pyramidal metal frame that supported a lantern. Lights similar to this were also placed on the breakwaters at Port Stanley and Rondeau.
Port Burwell Lighthouse with Valley Camp in harbour
Photograph courtesy Library and Archives Canada
A small diaphone fog alarm operated by a gas engine commenced operation on the east pier at Port Burwell on November 1, 1917 to help guide the railroad car ferry into the harbour during the long nights and stormy weather of winter. Located 530 feet from the end of the pier, the fog alarm sounded a triple blast every minute and replaced a fog bell that had formerly been used. In 1930, the diaphone was discontinued, and a new remote-controlled, electric fog alarm was established near the pyramidal concrete tower on the west pierhead. At this time, a new light was also established at the end of a rocky extension to the west breakwater.
Port Burwell Lighthouse was discontinued in 1962, leaving the 1930 Outer West Breakwater Light, the 1914 West Breakwater Inner Light, and a pair of ranges on the east pier. Today, the Outer West Breakwater Light remains active as well as a privately maintained cylindrical tower on the east pier. Though no longer active, the pyramidal, concrete West Breakwater Inner Light is still standing on the end of the old west breakwater.
Days Gone By
On June 15, 1914, an unwatched dioptric light was established at the outer end of the west breakwater at Port Burwell atop a square, pyramidal, concrete structure that was surmounted by a pyramidal metal frame that supported a lantern. Lights similar to this were also placed on the breakwaters at Port Stanley and Rondeau.
Port Burwell Lighthouse with Valley Camp in harbour
Photograph courtesy Library and Archives Canada
A small diaphone fog alarm operated by a gas engine commenced operation on the east pier at Port Burwell on November 1, 1917 to help guide the railroad car ferry into the harbour during the long nights and stormy weather of winter. Located 530 feet from the end of the pier, the fog alarm sounded a triple blast every minute and replaced a fog bell that had formerly been used. In 1930, the diaphone was discontinued, and a new remote-controlled, electric fog alarm was established near the pyramidal concrete tower on the west pierhead. At this time, a new light was also established at the end of a rocky extension to the west breakwater.
Port Burwell Lighthouse was discontinued in 1962, leaving the 1930 Outer West Breakwater Light, the 1914 West Breakwater Inner Light, and a pair of ranges on the east pier. Today, the Outer West Breakwater Light remains active as well as a privately maintained cylindrical tower on the east pier. Though no longer active, the pyramidal, concrete West Breakwater Inner Light is still standing on the end of the old west breakwater.