The following timeline details some significant events about the ledge. The details here are from various reference articles that are being collected to uncover the full historical story of The Monument. The accuracy is only as good as the information available. As more details are uncovered, updates will be made here as well.
1814 – Drop Anchor
It definitely was known during the War of 1812, because it was the spot where a small British force assigned to investigate Belfast anchored on the afternoon of Sept. 1, 1814. The mini-fleet consisted of three vessels and made an imposing sight.
Now it was Belfast’s turn. The warship frigate Burhante dropped anchor on Steeles Ledge along with two transports and 600 troops, under command of General Gerard Gosselin, longtime veteran of the British Army from 1787 to 1859.
This is a good article from the Fishermen’s Voice on the events that led up to occupation of the ledge; fortunately a peaceful visit this time.
1826 – First Build
Congress authorizes $1200 to build the monument at the location of the outermost water obstruction. This location looks to be around 2 feet below the high tide level today, using this interactive chart. In today’s dollars, this amount would be $38,000. See inflation rates here.
1828 – Wood Stucture
A wooden pier was built on Steele’s Ledge in 1828. Calls for bids for the job had appeared in the Belfast Gazette a year earlier. During this Jacksonian era, Belfast became a productive shipbuilding and merchant town, so a clearly marked entrance to the harbor was needed.
Town officials wanted it to be 25 feet at the base drawn in to 15 feet at the top for an overall height of 26 feet. It was to be evenly built of square timber for floorings and binders, nicely dovetailed and secured by bolts and sufficiently ballasted with stone. It would have a mast atop it as well.
1833 – Storm Damage
On Oct. 12, 1833 there was a South-east gale, which drove the tide higher than since the great storm of 1815. The upper part of the structure was washed away.
1835 – First Stone Structure
A stone monument was built in its place and and it lasted until 1850 when it was washed away on a storm in Feburary 1850.
1850 – Second Stone Structure
A stronger monument was constructed the same year of the storm and it lasted until 1888. In 1871 it was noted as a stone beacon in decent shape.
1888 – Third Stone Structure
By 1888, the town erected an even more stable granite monument, also with a pole on top, to which a barrel was later added to better be seen. And that was the marker to Belfast Harbor for years.
1912 – First Light
In the August 31, 1911 it was announced that an acetylene gas lamp will be placed on the Steele Ledge in Belfast Harbor. It is unclear when the exact date and time was when the installation of the light was turned on, but there are references to 1912.
1935 – Still Bright
In a 1935 Report for Steel Ledge Monument, Asst. Superintendent Thomas Sampson inspected the structure on May 3 and reported the height of focal plane above mean high water was 20 feet. The painted white tower was described as a steel house set on granite base with an AGA cylindrical lantern house with 16 panes of helical 27-inch glazed ¾-inch-thick bars.
1943 – World War II Security Risk
Throughout its storied history, and many names, the Belfast Beacon was not immune to the challenges of its time. During World War II, it was extinguished as a security measure, however, it was eventually deemed not to be a concern. In 1943, the War Department recognized its value for navigation and defense, and the Beacon was reignited by a coast guard tender.
1980 – Lights Out
The light apparatus was removed and the United States Coast Guard has installed a light on a buoy, just south of the ledge. The exact time and date is not known as of yet, but generally the light has been off for over four decades.
2023 – News Stories
Despite its enduring legacy, the Belfast Beacon eventually faded from many locals’ awareness. The lighthouse, once a beacon of guidance and innovation, now carries an air of days gone by as it stands in solitude, a quiet reminder of Belfast’s maritime past.
2024 – Belfast Bay Beacon Project Started
The Monument sits queitly and waits to be lit again.
2026 – Two Hundred Years Later …
The Monument provides climate change data to the community, is both a local and tourist destination of interest, provides a guiding light to the top of Penobscot Bay and watches over the City of Belfast once again.
Belfast Bay Beacon 