Saybrook Breakwater, also called the "Outer Light," is one of two lighthouses built off Lynde Point in the nineteenth century. The other structure, generally called the "Inner Light," is located at the mouth of the Connecticut River and is not for sale.
The federal government has been planning to sell the Outer Light for approximately a year, when it was determined to be excess to the needs of the United States Coast Guard. The sale is part of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000, which is designed to transfer Coast Guard lighthouses from the federal government to private entities or towns.
The Outer Light is being made available at no cost to eligible entities defines as Federal Agencies, state and local agencies, non-profit corporations, educational agencies, or community development agencies.
When town officials were made aware of the impending sale, one year ago, they researched the option to purchase it themselves. According to First Selectman Michael Pace, the high price of maintenance and low accessibility to the structure were the main reasons Old Saybrook chose not to buy it.
"For the town, it didn't make any sense," said Pace.
Town leaders did, however, receive assurances that the light would continue to operate and that nothing would be added to the light to obstruct recreation at the mouth of the Connecticut River.
A non-profit historical preservation organization located in Massachusetts has announced it plans to acquire the light for historical preservation. OakView Preservation Incorporated (OVPI) is only in the initials planning phases, but plans to preserve the light in perpetuity.
"We will establish an endowment through fundraising, bequests and grants to fund the endowment that will protect the light, preserve the light, and save it for generations to come," wrote OVPI CEO Brad McCraken in an email to Pace. McCraken said it would be "near impossible" to open the light to the public because of limited access.
Saybrook Breakwater Light has been in service since 1886. It was one of the first of a number of cylindrical cast-iron lighthouses built between 1880 and 1920. The light is 49 feet tall and sits upon a cast-iron and concrete-filled caisson, a water tight chamber used in underwater construction work. The station rests on submerged bottomlands owned by the State of Connecticut and contains no acreage. No submerged lands will be conveyed in the sale.
Applications will be accepted until August 27.
Evan Norris can be reached at enorris@ctcentral.com or 203-458-5742.