During the Civil War, Frying Pan Shoals, off Cape Fear River, NC, was a major hazard for both blockade runners and Union blockaders. From 1866, there had been a lightship anchored there. Before the Civil War, the Baldhead Lighthouse warned ships of the dangerous shoals.
In 1966, the lightship was replaced by a steel oil drilling platform known as a Texas Tower standing on four steel legs. It was built in Louisiana and brought by barge to Frying Pan Shoals.
The sub floor has 5,000 square feet of living space: bedrooms, kitchen, office, storage area, recreational facilities and bathroom.
It has now been replaced by a buoy. Of course, with GPS, the need of a light is no longer needed. The old tower is now up for bid, originally starting at $10,000, but today I see it is still going and the high bid is at $295,000. The US General Services Administration is conducting it.
I have read that it is in a great area for diving.
Hey, Wanna Buy a Light Tower Out in the Middle of Nowhere.
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
