Marty and I left early in the morning on Aug. 25 from our home in East Hartford, Connecticut, for a leisurely drive to New London, Connecticut, where we took a mini-cruise.
The cruise was absolutely delightful and was narrated the entire two hours that we were on board.
The trip included several islands that were explained to us thoroughly, and three forts.
One fort was Fort Wright, which was built in the early 20th century; and, another was Fort Griswold, which is a tall granite monument honoring those killed defending the fort during a battle.
The third fort was Fort Trumbull that was built in 1777, and was attacked and captured by British forces under the command of Benedict Arnold.
We got to view the General Dynamics Electric Boat Division, where the first nuclear-powered submarine was built and where subs continue to be built today.
Also on this tour, we got to view the New London’s historic waterfront, which was once the third busiest whaling port in the world. It is now home to the United States Coast Guard Academy and home port for the Coast Guard’s tall ships.
We also got to see, up close and from the water, nine different lighthouses. Some of them we had seen previously from taking a land tour but somehow, from water, it seemed more picturesque.
The very first one we saw was the New London Harbor Light, which is the oldest lighthouse in Connecticut. It is privately owned to this day.
We also saw the Avery Point Lighthouse, which was the last lighthouse in the state built as an official navigational aid and wasn’t lighted until over a year after its 1943 completion, due to concerns about a possible Nazi attack during World War II.
We then saw the New London Ledge Lighthouse, which is uniquely shaped for a lighthouse and also it is reportedly haunted by the ghost of an early keeper.
We then viewed several others, including the North Dumpling Light. During Prohibition, the keeper of the Light was accused of signaling to liquor smugglers.
On to the Race Horse Light that was built on a ledge, where fast current and conflicting seas are the norm. The foundations alone took seven years to build. This lighthouse is also said to be haunted.
When we were in this area, the seas were rougher than usual, and winds were quite fierce.
The next lighthouse that we viewed was the Little Gull Light. It was destroyed by the hurricane of 1815, and this lighthouse is said to have a colorful past. The tower that stands today dates from 1868.
We then took a long look at the Long Beach Bar (Bug) Light. This charming 1870 Victorian structure was set ablaze by arsonists in 1963 and restored by the East End Seaport Museum in 1990. They say it looks like a bug walking on water.
We then had the opportunity to view the Orient Point Lighthouse, also known as the Coffee Pot Lighthouse. The cast-iron clad and brick-lined lighthouse was marked for demolition by the Coast Guard in 1970, but was saved by public outcry.
The final lighthouse we saw and heard about was the Plum Island Lighthouse. It is also known as Plum Gut Light. This 1869 historic granite lighthouse was decommissioned in 1978 in favor of an automated light that now sits a short distance away.
This marked the end of the tour, but while going back to port to leave, we saw many sailboats, schooners, floating restaurants and wildlife in the water.
Once we got back to shore, we went home.
By Helene Rubenstein
Grand Horizons
Published Oct. 4, 2017
