Titanic Memorial Lighthouse
All Work | South Street Seaport Museum, New York, New York
Titanic Memorial Lighthouse
New York, New York
Scope
Originally erected on the roof of the Seamen’s Church Institute in lower Manhattan at the corner of South Street and Coenties Slip, the memorial lighthouse had a practical use as well. Designed by Warren & Wetmore, its signature green light could be seen by vessels 10 miles out in the ‘Narrows’, helping guide ships into port. Incorporated as the only official Coast Guard light on Manhattan Island, the lighting was provided by three Cooper Hewitt mercury lamps of 2,500 candle power each, and was visible six miles down the coast. Atop the tower was a time ball mechanism which was activated by a telegraphic signal from the Naval Observatory near Lincoln Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. The time ball was used by New Yorkers in the area to set their watches for accuracy. When the SCI building was demolished, the memorial was given to the South Street Seaport Museum.
In 1991 the Museum engaged the firm of Jan Hird Pokorny Associates (JHPA) to prepare conceptual design drawings to replicate the original base and catwalks below the lantern. No further work was undertaken after the conceptual designs were completed by JHPA.
Recently, JHPArchitects PC was enlisted to complete an existing conditions assessment of the structure, and to develop restoration documents to return the structure to a position as a viable monument and centerpiece of the South Street Seaport Museum. The assessment completed, restoration work is now nearly complete.