Carysfort Florida
Harbour Lights #370

Carysfort Reef takes its name from the HMS Carysfort, an eight-gun frigate that ran aground in 1770. The complex reef system is the closest part of Florida to the Gulf Stream. To avoid the Stream, ships sailing southward hug the coast. The lack of visible landmarks and the current made the reef one of Florida’s most dangerous locations for ships traveling in Florida. While the danger was immediately recognized, there was no method of construction developed to build a structure on the submerged reef.

In 1824, the United States Congress appropriated $20,000 for the establishment of a Lightship to mark the reef. The first Lightship, christened Caesar, ran aground on its maiden voyage, the ship was salvaged and the station established in 1825. After five years, the Lightship was so dry-rotten, that a new Lightship, Florida was quickly put into service. Unfortunately, the Lightship was not very effective.

In 1848, the first screwpile design for a lighthouse on the Florida Keys, submitted by IWP Lewis was selected. The United States Army Corps of Engineers was responsible for erecting the 120’ wrought iron skeletal tower. The original, 18 lamps in 21-inch reflectors were first lit on 10 March 1852. Three years later, at a cost of $22,000 a First Order Fresnel lens replaced the lamps. Of historical note, Carysfort Reef was one of the only Florida lights that were operational during the Civil War!

In 1964, after 112 years of service, the United States Coast Guard automated the First Order lens with a fixed Third Order lens. A modern beacon replaced the third order lens in 1982.

A major overhaul costing more than $100,000 to repaint and repair the structure took place in 1987.