The Bitter End

LIGHTHOUSE JAMBOREE

By Captain J. Gary "Gator" Hill

Have you ever heard the expression, busy as a one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest? Envision that and you’ll have a glimpse into my life right now. So, instead of a normal column from me (or what passes for normal) you’re getting something a little different this month.

As many of you know, I’m based out of the Savannah/Tybee area and run a tour boat on Tybee. I’ve written about Cockspur Lighthouse numerous times and I spend an inordinate amount of time in her presence.

A quick backstory. The light was built in the mid 1850’s on the eastern prominence, marking the mouth of the South Channel of the Savannah River. Her career as a lighted aid to navigation lasted until 1909, at which point it was deactivated and served as a recreational daymark from then on. Ownership passed from the Coastguard to the National Park Service (NPS) in August 1958, which is still responsible for the protection and preservation of the lighthouse today.

A non-profit organization known as the Friends of Cockspur Island Lighthouse works in unison with NPS to benefit ongoing projects for the light and with the hope that it will remain for many generations to come.

One major project they teamed up on was a grand relighting ceremony in 2007, which was the first time Cockspur Light had been on in nearly a century. Sadly, the light installed was not intended to last, and eventually failed, once again leaving our lighthouse dark.

Another project was to remove the dome which had fallen into a sad state. This dome now sits by the visitor’s center and museum at Fort Pulaski on Cockspur Island.

Sitting where she does, the light is exposed to not only storm surge but shipping traffic from the Savannah River, which was causing noticeable erosion. So, with the aid of U.S. Representative Jack Kingston’s support, Friends of Cockspur championed the cause and secured $1.4 million. By 2012 they had placed hundreds of tons of large granite ballast stones to secure the foundation from further erosion.

Last year another major investment was made in ongoing efforts to sustain the light. To the tune of almost $200,000, failing mortar was repointed and failing brick replaced, new windows and the entrance door were replicated and replaced, and further assessment on erosion was conducted.

All of this led up to the latest project which is seeing the light once again kindled on a permanent and ongoing basis. The U.S. Coastguard was petitioned to allow the light to be re-lit as a recreational marker once again. This time, however, with the recommendation that the light used be of a professional quality and meant to last. Of course, certain guidelines have to be met, one being that light cannot be visible from the shipping channel, and of course it must be installed in a professional manner. To that end, the light will be visible to travelers coming to Tybee on Highway 80 and from water on that side of the channel as well. What does all this have to do with my hectic schedule you wonder? Simple. Captain Derek’s Dolphin Adventures, the company I captain for, is hosting what we’re calling a Lighthouse Jamboree, on November the 5th, from 12:00 noon until dark. The goal is to help raise capital to see this project come to fruition. So come out and join us for a day and help to make history! There will be live music from Dr. J and Krista Petrosino, providing some cool island vibes off and on throughout the event. Master painter Michael Mills will be conducting an en plein air painting course teaching you how to paint the little lighthouse, at the conclusion of which you get to leave with your very own painting you created with your own hands. There will 30-minute lighthouse and fort tours by water, narrated by a docent from the Friends of Cockspur Lighthouse. The evening will wrap up with a sunset tour to lighthouse from the water at this magic moment (this tour is not a dolphin tour and dedicated strictly to the lighthouse). Please visit and follow our Facebook page Captain Derek’s Dolphin Adventures or feel free to contact me via email for further information. Please come out to help us make history and let the light shine for future generations.

'Til our wakes cross again, peace and love, and shrimp and grits. I'll see you on the water!

Captain Gator has spent the past several decades truly living the salt life, from living on and racing sailboats, to being a paddle guide, to becoming a 100-ton master and working in the tour boat industry. A strong love of history and the water has shaped him into becoming one part educator, one part entertainer, and one part storyteller. When asked if he is a native, his reply is yes, by osmosis. TheOriginalCaptainGator@gmail.com

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