History records that some 39 ships were destroyed off the western end of the island of Bermuda, in only the decade before the lighting of the Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse on May 1, 1846. Gibb’s Hill is named for the seafaring Gibb Family, who originally occupied the house in which the British Army set up a Signal Station used to warn mariners of upcoming storms.

In 1844, when construction began, steel was not yet used in construction, making Gibb’s Hill only the second Light made of cast iron. There are eight flights of stairs with 185 steps to the top of the lighthouse!

Gibb’s Hill at 245’ high, combined with a structure that is 117’ from base to light, has a beam that runs 362’ above sea level making it possible to be seen by ships 40 miles away as well as by planes flying at 10,000’ 120 miles away.

The original Light was a burner of four circular wicks; in 1904 a five-wick burner using a gas chimney was installed. The 1923 kerosene burner was replaced by electricity in 1952. A 1,000-watt bulb located in the center of the lens, revolves around the light in a trough containing 1.2 pounds of mercury. The lens, capable of producing a 1,000,000-candle power, makes a complete revolution in 50 seconds.

In 1964, the Light became fully automated with a diesel generator at the ready in case of a power-failure.