by Capt. J. S. Gillooly, U.S. N

26

S a n k a t y L ig h t S i g h te d a t S e a F o rt y-se v en M i l es A w a y

WHILE IN COMMAND of the U.S.S. Wasp, the great aircraft carrier, Captain J. S. Gillooly, U. S. N., sighted Sankaty Light while over 47 miles at sea, when approaching the coast on a homeward passage. A letter received from him several weeks ago further explains the situation, and reads as follows:

"In September of 1970, my wife and I visited friends living on Nantucket Island and went through your Museum. While there, I noticed a sign that indicated some ship at sea had seen the Sankaty head light at some distance.

"I was then the Commanding Officer of the aircraft carrier USS Wasp and we had, earlier in the month of September, passed Sankaty head light and had identified her at a considerable greater distance than you had recorded. When we returned to the ship, I instructed my navigator to examine his log and to prepare the enclosed memorandum.

"As will happen, I never got around to sending this to you. In keeping with the saying'Better late than never', please use this memorandum as you see fit.

Sincerely, J.F. Gillooly Captain, US Navy (Retired)"

SANKATY LIGHT SIGHTED AT SEA MEMORANDUM

FROM: Navigator USS WASP

DATE: 1 October 1970

TO: Commanding Officer

Subj: Sighting of Sankkaty Head Light, Nantucket Isl.

1. Following is the data concerning sighting of Sankaty Head Light on 7-8 September 1970:

a. At 072300Q loom of light held bearing 356° T while WASP was 45.5 miles away.

b. At 080236Q loom of light held bearing 048° T while WASP was 47.5 miles away.

c. Computed range for sighting (horizon effect):

Lighthouse 158' = 14.5 mile range WASP bridge 85' = 10,6 mile range Predicted range = 25.1 miles

d. Misc. data: Sankaty Head Light is rated at 3,200,000 candlepower, with a nominal visual range of 29 miles (clear air, unlimited height of eye). The sighting of the loom of the light at 45-47 miles is a function of the light strength, the visibility, and the height of eye of the observer. All of these conditions were in our favor on 7-8 Sept., thus the long range sighting.

e. Diagram of sightings: