Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse Repairs

Civilworks is assisting the American Lighthouse Foundation to assess and repair storm damage to the foundation of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse, a cast iron lighthouse built in 1878. The coastal storms of January 2024 with high storm surge and wave action have partially destroyed the concrete slab around the lighthouse, exposing the concrete foundation supporting the lighthouse. Storm damage (shown in the photo above) has removed some of the concrete supporting the base ring of the cast iron panels, exposing the brick lining of the lighthouse.

Duncan Mellor, PE, noted that it was fascinating to see up into the normally hidden void space between the cast iron exterior panels and the brick lining. The cast iron panels are bolted together in the void space and this view helps explain how the historic lighthouse was built. (photo below)