Talk:Raspberry Island Light

Article needed
This article is way too short. I have to leave and can't finish the job for a week or two. Virtually all the sources you need are in this article. Your assistance would be appreciated. Thanks. 7&amp;6=thirteen (talk) 18:11, 6 August 2008 (UTC) Stan

Issues of Accuracy
This article is not only short and incomplete (eg, making no mention of the 1906 renovations that changed the small original lighthouse into the much larger configuration it retains today) but also contains factual errors and contradicts itself in places:

Text : “It was erected in 1873, marking the western channel.”

Table: “First lit: 1863”

An obvious contradiction. In fact, the original lighthouse was constructed in 1862, but due to a delay in delivery of the optical apparatus, the beacon was not placed in service until July of 1863. (References: Historic Structure Report, Raspberry Island Lighthouse, U.S. National Park Service, 2000; A Compendium Of Written Communication Of The Light House Board For The Twelve Light Stations Of The Midwest Region, National Park Service, 1839-1881, ed. David Snyder, 1992.)

Text: “The light was doused in 1947, and was transferred to the National Park Service as part of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.”

Table: “Automated: 1957”

Table: “Deactivated: 1957”

More contradictions.

In fact, the light was not “doused” but rather automated in 1947; nor was it transferred to the National Park Service at that time: the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore was not established until 1970. The NPS eventually acquired Raspberry Island in 1975. (References: Several sources report the 1947 automation date, but perhaps the most interesting is the local newspaper. The Bayfield Press paid close attention to the automation process, reporting on October 2, 1947, “Raspberry Island light will go on unattended status within the next few days. Workmen are now busy making the necessary changes,” and on October 16, 1947, “Work of changing Raspberry Island CG station to unattended status has been completed, and final checking is under way.  It is presently believed that the last crew member will leave the island about next Monday or Tuesday.” Establishment of the National Lakeshore was effected by Public Law 91-424, signed September 26, 1970. Date for NPS acquisition of Raspberry Island is taken from the NPS Historic Structure Report, Raspberry Island Lighthouse, published in 2000.)

Neither was the light “deactivated” in 1957; rather in that year the original lens was removed from the tower and “a small 160-candlepower light with an acrylic lens” was mounted on a pole near the top of the stairway. (Reference: Historic Structure Report, Raspberry Island Lighthouse, U.S. National Park Service, 2000.) This beacon continues in service today. (Reference: USCG 2011 Light List, Volume VII "Great Lakes," p. 146.)

“Most of the Apostle Islands light stations may be reached on the Apostle Islands Cruise Service water taxi or by private boat during the summer.”

This is incorrect; Raspberry Island is currently the only one of the six Apostle Islands light stations regularly accessible by commercial passenger service. As of 2011 the Apostle Islands Cruise Service does not operate a water taxi and has not done so for several years; however, some tours do offer views of the other lights as they pass by without stopping.

Additionally, as of 2011, the Cruise Service’s annual “Lighthouse Celebration” will no longer offer access to all six light stations. Up-to-date information on the company’s offerings can be found on their web site, www.apostleisland.com.

"In the tourist season, volunteer park rangers are on the many of the islands to greet visitors."

A minor point, but the Raspberry Island Lighthouse is staffed by NPS employees, not volunteers. Volunteer lightkeeper positions are available at several of the other sites; see the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore web page for up-to-date information on the park's volunteer program.

Bobmack apis (talk) 01:27, 1 June 2011 (UTC)bobmack_apis
 * so fix it. --Muhandes (talk) 07:10, 2 June 2011 (UTC)