Derby Wharf Lighthouse

A
tough
little
lighthouse
The Derby Wharf Lighthouse is a little light. Only about 25 feet above the water it sits at the very end of Derby Wharf and is exposed to sea, wind, salt and an occasional careless ship.
Salem has a long tradition of maritime activity and the very first wharf was constructed here back in 1762. Over the centuries all kinds of ships came and went from this wharf and it was gradually expanded to it’s present length.
Since ships kept either smashing into the wharf of failed to find it at all it was decided a lighthouse at the end of the wharf would be a good idea. So in 1871 the little lighthouse was completed and had a fifth order Fresnel lens and served well for decades.
Occasional a huge storm would damage it and on occasion a ship would smash into it but the tough little lighthouse managed to survive. It eventually fell into disuse like many of the old lighthouse but in 1983 it was restored and once again became a private aid to navigation.
The little light was again restored in 1989 and in 2009 the light was once again lovingly fixed up and repainted as a boy scout project. Dozens of scouts made sure the lighthouse was as good if not better than new.
So the diminutive lighthouse still sits at the very end of Derby Wharf. Still guiding ships, entertaining people and defying everything nature and humans can throw at it.