Outer Banks | Cape Hatteras | North Carolina Lighthouse

Cape Hatteras is a cape on the coast of North Carolina. It is the point that protrudes the furthest to the southeast along the northeast-to-southwest line of the Atlantic coast of North America. Two major Atlantic currents collide just off Cape Hatteras, the southerly-flowing cold water Labrador Current and the northerly-flowing warm water Florida Current (Gulf Stream), creating turbulent waters and a large expanse of shallow sandbars extending up to 14 miles offshore. These shoals are known as Diamond Shoals. Because mariners utilize ocean currents to speed their journey, many ships venture close to Cape Hatteras when traveling along the eastern seaboard, risking the perils of sailing close to the shoals amid turbulent water and the frequent storms occurring in the area. So many ships have been lost off Cape Hatteras that the area is known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic".

The cape is actually a bend in Hatteras Island, one of the long thin barrier islands that make up the Outer Banks. The first lighthouse at the cape was built in 1803; it was replaced by the current Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in 1870, which at 198.48 feet from the ground to the tip of its lightning rod is the tallest lighthouse in the United States and the tallest brick lighthouse in the world.

In 1999, as the receding shoreline had come dangerously close to Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the 4830-ton lighthouse was lifted and moved inland a distance of 2900 feet. Its distance from the seashore is now 1500 feet, about the same as when it was originally built.

Somewhat analogous to Point Conception in Southern California, this on-the-edge placement at the confluence of the Labrador and Florida Currents leads to unusually diverse biological assemblages. Many species' ranges have either a southern or northern terminus at the cape.

Cape Hatteras is also infamous for being frequently struck by hurricanes that move up the East Coast of the United States. The strike of Hurricane Isabel in 2003 was particularly devastating for the area. Isabel devastated the entire Outer Banks and also split the two small towns of Frisco and Hatteras in half. NC 12, which provides a direct route from Nags Head to Hatteras Island, was broken in half by the hurricane. This nearly demolished the small villages of Cape Hatteras. Students had to use a ferry to get to school for almost a year. Reconstruction of the area began in 2005.

The image above is my wife and I pulling into the parks parking lot. I thought it would make for a great picture of the lighthouse overall.

The image below is after climbing the stairs for about ten minutes. We were out of breath even after taking a breather on the stair landings about every few flights. It isn't any wander that he park rangers are in tip top shape (LOL).

In the images above and below you see the lighthouse's light controller unit. Not too bad looking fro over a hundred years. If you look closely you can see the stairs. Yes, one up and down one at a time with a single person. Quarters are very tight.

The image above is a direct shot down the side of the lighthouse. I am petrified of heights, however there were guardrails (whew....breath.) My fear was relieved after looking out across the ocean blue. It was gorgeous. The day couldn't have been more perfect for picture taking.

What I was trying to get an image of was the original site of the lighthouse before they moved it in 1999. The trees block it way too much, but it is before the overview of the village (small town.)

If you in North Carolina or are planing a trip, you should make Cape Hatteras a visit spot. It is worth the trip in the car and every last calorie burned up the steps to see the view and understand the history a little more.