Sitting on jagged rocks that
extend a quarter mile from
Ram Island at the north
entrance to Portland Harbor.
During high tide the ledge
is completely covered.
An iron spindle was placed
on the ledge as a
navagational aid in 1855
and in 1873, a 50 foot
wooden tripod was built.
In clear weather this was helpful
but in bad weather these
markers were impossible to see.
When the 400 foot transatlantic
steamer California was grounded
in a snowstorm,the government
was convinced that a
lighthouse was needed,
and plans for construction
of a granite tower started in 1902.
In 1903 construction was started
but since the ledge was under water
much of the time they
could only work at low tide.
Granite blocks were ferried from Vinalhaven.
The 90 foot tower was completed in 1904,
and a 26,000 pound lantern
and a third order Fresnel lens installed
at 77 feet above sea level
and was lighted in January 1905.
Working two week shifts
and one week off, three lightkeepers
were assigned to Ram Island Light.
In 1959 the light was automated
and keepers from Portland Head
Light looked after it.
