Here are some interesting facts about Fresnel Lenses:
The Second Order Fresnel Lens from the White Shoal, MI lighthouse, now located in the Great Lakes Shipreck Museum at Whitefish Point, is:
9 feet in diameter
has 344 leaded crystal prisims
weighs 3,500 pounds
was visible for 28 miles
had to be rewound every two hours an eighteen minutes.
Most people don't realize just how massive some of these lenses were and still are.
Posted By: RMau
Re: Fresnel Lenses
- 08/30/99 02:00 AM
And here's an interesting article from the August, 1999 issue of
Smithsonian magazine on the lens and it's inventor.
http://www.smithsonianmag.si.edu/smithsonian/issues99/aug99/object_aug99.html Rick
Thanks to RMau for that link to the Smithsonian. It was a fascinating article.
I always thougt fresnel lens were nice until I saw the one at Eatons neck up close. What a beautiful work of art they truly are. And I always stop and think that these were made by hand, no power tools, no Home Depot to run up to for supplies. I am amazed whenever I think of the work that went into creating them.
Posted By: LamarB
Re: Fresnel Lenses
- 08/30/99 05:35 PM
Thanks Rick. It is a fascinating article.
Posted By: mombo
Re: Fresnel Lenses
- 08/31/99 04:17 AM
The lens in the Prescott Inner Harbor light that I saw earlier this month was awesome, really hugh.
According to American Lighthouses, A Comprehensive Guide by Bruce Roberts and Ray Jones: Although invented in 1822 the lenses were not used in the US until after 1852 due to their considerable expense and bureaucratic fussiness.
Mombo
Posted By: Art
Re: Fresnel Lenses
- 08/31/99 07:49 PM
"Bureaucratic fussiness" may be a euphemism for corruption, or at least ineptitude. Seems like Winslow Lewis (purveyor of obsolete parabolic reflectors) all but owned Stephen Pleasonton, the fifth auditor of the Treasury Department then in charge of lighthouses. The Lighthouse Board was established in 1852 and took over Pleasanton's duties. Mere coincidence?
------------------
-Art
Posted By: mombo
Re: Fresnel Lenses
- 09/01/99 03:45 AM
Art, I gave the abrieviated version, without the names. You supplied them. Guess we've been reading the same book!
Mombo
Posted By: Dave H
Re: Fresnel Lenses
- 09/01/99 05:01 AM
Last month at the Shore Village Museum I had an interesting and enjoyable conversation about Fresnel Lenses with one of the staff. He was explaining that not only were the lenses each hand built, each and every part was individually hand made. Down to each and every screw used to hold the lens together! Seems they had to keep really good notes on what came from where. Screw "A" was threaded to only fit hole "A". Makes for a challenge.
When you think about it, the Fresnel Lens is truly a marvel: beautiful to look at; amazing in design and construction; provides foundation for many things in use today. After some 175 or so years it still has not really been improved on.
Ol' Auggie really hit on something here!
Dave[This message has been edited by Dave H (edited 08-31-99).]
[This message has been edited by Dave H (edited 05-31-2002).]
Posted By: Webmaster
Re: Fresnel Lenses
- 09/01/99 03:27 PM
From the new
Internet Index of Lighthouse Links, here's a couple of pages on Fresnel lenses:
http://zuma.lib.utk.edu/lights/fresnel.html http://www.west.net/~pamass/htmfiles/freslens.htm
Posted By: LADYBUG
Re: Fresnel Lenses
- 09/02/99 04:54 PM
We recently visited the Westport Maritime Museum here in Washington and they have on display Destruction Island's first-order Fresnel lens. This lens has 1,176 prisms and 24 bullseyes. It was manufactured in 1888 and illuminated for the first time in 1891. It was removed from Destruction Island for security reasons in 1995. The Westport Maritime Museum launched a 3 year volunteer effort to raise funds and put up a new museum-quality building to house the lens. It is awesome to see. I have some pictures I would be happy to post if someone could tell me how to do it. Thanks. Darlene
Posted By: AlanBeckman
Re: Fresnel Lenses
- 09/03/99 01:33 AM
Diane and I recently made a swing through the Florida panhandle over to Ponce Inlet and up to Savannah where we photgraphed 14 lighthouses. The highlight was the Sapelo Island mini re-union but a close second was Ponce Inlet lighthouse museum. They have Cape Canaveral's first order fresnel lens mounted about 10 feet off the floor. It is lighted and is rotating. There is a balcony that allows you to go up to the same level as the bullseyes. It is beautiful! Diane shot almost a whole roll of film. If you are ever near Daytona Beach don't miss going to Ponce Inlet light.
Alan
Posted By: mombo
Re: Fresnel Lenses
- 09/03/99 03:58 AM
I.O. was at Daytona last January and
did not go to Ponce Inlet. After seeing all that is offered there I tried to convince him to go but did not succeed. Maybe this year, when he returns for his 12th Annual Old Foggies Golf Outing (or whatever they call it)! In light of his recent heart attack he needn't climb the tower.
[This message has been edited by mombo (edited 09-02-99).]
Posted By: Dave H
Re: Fresnel Lenses
- 09/03/99 06:40 AM
On our recent trip thru MD/VA and the Outer Banks we stopped at the Coast Guard Reserve Training Center at Yorktown, VA. This is also home to their ANT (Aids to Navigation) school. In the lobby they have a wonderful display of Fresnel lenses, in every size except 3 1/2 (or small 3 as they called it). Have several interesting clam shell or bi-valve lenses, including some in 3rd order size. The public is allowed to visit. Just need to stop at the gate and get a pass.
First Order beehive and 2nd order bi-valve
An interesting 4th order lens
Dave
Dave, thanks for the shots. I live only 20 min away. I'll see it next week. Did not know it was there.
Moby
Posted By: Wildbird99
Re: Fresnel Lenses
- 09/05/99 02:52 AM
I have to add another Fresnel link. This one's from my site. On the page, I have a brief description of Frsenel and his work, plus images of First, Second, Third, Third-and-One-Half Bivalve, Fourth, and Fifth Order lenses. as well as a Fresnel-type lens currently in use on one of the Orient Point ferries.
I also show the effect that a Fresnel lens has on the light emitted from an old oil lantern from my own collection.
I'm hoping to include a chapter on Fresnel and his lenses in my book. They really are timeless works of art.
The page is at
www.longislandlighthouses.com/fresnel.htm Bob Muller
Stony Brook, NY
wildbird99@aol.com
Posted By: mombo
Re: Fresnel Lenses
- 09/05/99 04:11 AM
So is a bi-valve and a clamshell the same type lens?
Mombo
Posted By: Dave H
Re: Fresnel Lenses
- 09/05/99 06:28 AM
Yes
Can't do it. Was gonna be a smart guy and leave Mombo a one word answer. Bi-valve also called clam shell because they open like a _______ (you fill in the blank).
Dave
[This message has been edited by Dave H (edited 09-05-99).]
Posted By: Art
Re: Fresnel Lenses
- 09/05/99 07:42 AM
Webster says:
bi•valve (1) "bi-'valv\ adjective: having a shell composed of two valves
bivalve (2) noun: an animal (as a clam) with a 2-valved shell
valve noun: 4: one of the distinct and usu. movably articulated pieces of which the shell of some shell-bearing animals consists
"Clamshell" is a metaphor. By definition 1, "bivalve" actually describes the lens construction. Technically, the lens is a bivalve lens, but it is known in the vernacular as a clamshell lens.
By definition 2, "bivalve" can also be used metaphorically, but it is more politically correct than "clamshell", since the latter excludes the shells of other bivalve mollusks such as mussels, scallops and oysters.
clam noun 1 a : any of numerous edible marine bivalve mollusks living in sand or mud
I hope this clears things up, but if it doesn't, blame it on the environment.
-Art [Happy as an edible marine bivalve mollusk living in sand or mud]
[This message has been edited by Art (edited 09-05-99).]
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: Fresnel Lenses
- 09/05/99 08:13 AM
Anybody know which light this is from ?
[img]
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=40133&a=450382&p=11926184&Sequence=1[/img]
[This message has been edited by Mark Wagner (edited 09-05-99).]
Posted By: Webmaster
Re: Fresnel Lenses
- 09/05/99 05:43 PM
Cape Canaveral's First Order lens on display at Ponce de Leon???
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: Fresnel Lenses
- 09/05/99 09:35 PM
No, I haven't been to Florida....... yet
Posted By: Dave H
Re: Fresnel Lenses
- 09/06/99 05:53 AM
Grosse Point
Posted By: mombo
Re: Fresnel Lenses
- 09/06/99 05:55 AM
As long as we're showing off our lenses, here's my bivalve/clam:
[img]
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=39476&a=543312&p=11758171&Sequence=1[/img]
Warning: Don't toss out any unopened "clams
noun 1 a" any place you visit frequently. They get
very smelly!
MOMBO[This message has been edited by mombo (edited 09-06-99).]
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: Fresnel Lenses
- 09/06/99 06:44 AM
No, Dave not Grosse Point but it is east of Grosse Point
The picture is of the inside of the lens looking up
[This message has been edited by Mark Wagner (edited 09-06-99).]
Posted By: Bob M
Re: Fresnel Lenses
- 09/06/99 01:02 PM
I must admit this forum on Fresnel Lenses is extremely interesting. Before I attended the HL Reunion in Providence last year, I didn't even know that "Fresnel" is pronounced "Fru-nell".
How about one of you fine informative people taking a moment to list all the orders of Fresnel lenses with their dimensions. I'm sure there are many readers of this forum that would find it very interesting, including myself.
Bob
Posted By: Dave H
Re: Fresnel Lenses
- 09/07/99 04:31 AM
Bob,
Fresnel lenses are found in 7 sizes- 1st thru 6th order, with a 3 1/2 thrown in to screw things up. My experience has been that many folks at lighthouses, including some of the nicer museums, do not realize there was a 3 1/2. This lense was made primarily for the Great Lakes.
I will quote some info from Kenneth G. Kochel's book "America's Atlantic Coast Lighthouses":
1st order. This lens, the most powerful & largest of the six, was installed in primary landfall (coastal) lighthouses to give warning to the approach of land. Inside diameter (ID) = 72 7/16".
2nd order. Aids marking coastal headlands and the approaches to bays and sounds usually received this lens. ID 55 1/8".
3rd order. This lens was assigned to aids covering wide bays and located on large lakes, coastal inlets & their entrances. ID = 39 3/8".
4th, 5th, 6th orders. These lenses, including a mesoradial 3 1/2 order, mark prominent headlands, points and shoals in large bays and sounds. They also are used to give warning of existing obstructions in rivers or mark piers and wharves. ID 4th= 19 11/16"; 5th = 14 3/4"; 6th = 11 3/16".
There is one active (and huge) hyperradial lens in the US. That one, on Makapuu Point, Oahu, Hawaii, has an 8 1/2' diameter and an overall height of 24 '.
He goes on to say that at the start of 1998 there were 14 active landfall 1st orders:
SEBI, Bodie, Cape Henry, Currituck, Jupiter, St. Augie, Seguin Island, Tybee, Pensacola, Destruction Is, Heceta Head, Makapuu Pt, Point Conception, Yaquina
I'm not sure where he comes up with the ID of the various sizes, and whether this is an average or what. 1st orders can be 9' tall, and are quite impressive when viewed in a tower or in a museum setting.
At the risk of being corrected, and without digging out the books, I don't think they ever put a 1st order in the GL. There are 2nd orders - think one at Grosse Point & White Shoals
So much for todays history lesson. Oh, name of lense is pronounced fra-nell.
Dave
[This message has been edited by Dave H (edited 05-31-2002).]
Posted By: Dave H
Re: Fresnel Lenses
- 09/07/99 04:40 AM
Got me looking for more info- F. Ross Holland in his Great American Lighthouses book notes that the 3 1/2 order was the size least used by the US. There were 3 installed in Gulf Coast light towers. He also notes that when introduced, 1st & 2nd orders had 5 concentric wicks, 3rd order used 3 wicks, and a 6th order used 1 wick. He also states that the hyper-radiant lens at Makapuu Pt was 16' tall.
Dave
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: Fresnel Lenses
- 09/10/99 08:11 PM
Just for the record,
The picture I posted a little north of here was of the lens at Tybee Island. There was a small gap in the floor (about 2") of the lantern room where you could look up into the inside to the lens from the room below the lantern room.
Didn't anyone recognize the 360 degree scenery thru the lens ? LOL
Mark
Posted By: Dave H
Re: Fresnel Lenses
- 09/11/99 05:54 AM
Mark,
Neat shot. Proves that it really pays off to keep your eyes open for creative and imaginative photo ops! Tybe is just a little east of Grosse Point!
Dave
Posted By: kscroope
Re: Fresnel Lenses
- 11/22/01 03:18 PM
Posted By: kscroope
Re: Fresnel Lenses
- 11/22/01 07:13 PM
Posted By: kscroope
Re: Fresnel Lenses
- 11/25/01 05:11 PM
1st Order Fresnel - Anyone know where you can buy one? Michael and Karen Power 3 07-07-1998 10:38 AM
http://www.lighthousekeepers.com/forums/Forum5/HTML/000010.html
Posted By: apanda
Re: Fresnel Lenses
- 11/29/01 12:36 AM
I noticed an actual lighthouse fresnel lens for sale on ebay this week. Action ends Dec 2.I believe it is a fourth or fifth order fresnel. It was used in the Crowdy Head Lighthouse from about 1920 to 1970. Crowdy Head is 4 hours North of Sydney, the name is stamped on the reflector. The lens has 3 segments missing. This is a beautiful piece with only one chip. An extremely rare lens standing 40 inches high. Here is the link to the ebay auction item. I'd love to buy it myself but don't have a spare $15,000 at the moment.
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1490012717 I'd like to know what happens to this wonderful piece....if anyone finds out.
Andy
Posted By: seagirt
Re: Fresnel Lenses
- 10/25/03 11:22 PM
I was just looking at this topic from a link...
The fresnel lens that was on E-bay is the one that ended up in Sea Girt. An amazing lens...
