In August 2004 large chunks of iron fell from the Bodie Island Lighthouse tower. The lighthouse has been roped off since and the door to the base has been closed. OBLHS donated $10,000 toward the emergency repairs in March, 2006. The repairs were delayed several times and were completed in mid-June, 2007. The Park (Cape Hatteras National Seashore) plans to do some work to the stairs inside the tower, therefore the doors to the base will be opened to the public intermittently during the summer, but will remain open at the end of the summer.

	A crane was used to make repairs to the tower. There are only a few of these in the United States.
Galvanized steel cable, 1/2 inch in diameter, 20,700 pounds breaking strength were used to help secure the cast iron belt course sections. Fabricated devices made of wood were used to protect exposed areas of the belt course (not shown). 32 wood spacers, 2 for each section of the belt course are held in place with 2 horizontal steel cables, 12 inches apart over the circumerence of the belt course.
	Shown is a device to protect the lower cornice. Chicken wire is attached all around the lower deck to protect the ground from any pieces of falling metal. New 1/4 inch diameter galvanized steel cable weave through openings in the chicken wire to secure the mesh.
The ladder from the gallery had to be rewelded. A steel mesh holds boards against the drum and to secure the wall plates.

Touchup painting on welds, bolted connections and abraded areas also were done. The work was completed to the satisfaction of the Park, and just in time for the 2007 storm season! The orange fence has been removed from the grounds, the grass cut and hopefully the door to the tower will be open for people to visit the base of the lighthouse.

This site last updated on Friday, June 29, 2007 0:04 AM