At the beginning of the Civil War, theConfederate Lighthouse Service went to all lighthouses, removed the lenses, and took them to interior places for safety. This included the first order lens at Cape Lookout.
Raphael Semmes, later admiral of the Confederate Navy, was at one time commander of the lighthouse service.
After Federal forces took control of the lighthouse, a temporary third order lens was installed in March 1863. The original lens was found in Raleigh but had been damaged so was sent to StatenIsland Lighthouse Depot for repair. It was reinstalled in 1868.
Until 1885, whale oil was the primary fuel.
We'll Leave the Light On. --B-R'er
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
