Cana Island – the American Great Lakes Lighthouse

The first buildings on the site of the current lighthouse were the keeper's house, storehouses and the lighthouse tower, they were built of cream-colored bricks, but due to storms and cold winters, the bricks of the tower quickly began to disintegrate. In 1902 the tower was covered in steel to protect it from further decay. Dwelling, tower and deck cost $12,793. Light was emitted by a third-order Fresnel lens. Earlier, oil and rope products were burned in the lighthouse, later - kerosene, still later - acetylene, now it is electrified. The round ball at the top is a vent, that used to remove smoke and soot from the oil lamp. Every night the overseer or his assistant had to carry the oil to the top of the tower. When in 1945 the lighthouse is electrified, the current was produced by a 2 kW generator and it was stored in batteries, the light was emitted by a 100 watt 32 volt lamp. In the 1960s, a power line was finally installed, and the bulb's parameters were increased to 110 volts, 200 watts. Four bulbs are installed in a stand that automatically replaces a burned-out bulb. The site also includes a hexagonal fuel depot, storerooms and a gazebo. The oil tank was in the woods south of the lighthouse, and a pipe underground fed it to the building. The lighthouse is located on an 8.7-acre (3.5 ha) Canadian island connected to the mainland by a rocky isthmus. Depending on the lake level, it can be covered by 1 to 3 feet of cold Lake Michigan water. At first there were only wooden paths in the rocks and some dirt around the buildings. But since 1900 the topsoil was hauled in by men in eight teams of horses and carts. After six weeks, the grass was planted. The eastern end of the island is a stone coastal wall. Until 1889 first assistants were spouses or family members. Patrick Chambers was the first non-family assistant. When electricity was brought to the island, the assistant was no longer needed. The tower is 27 m high, the focal plane of the light is 24.16 m from the base of the lighthouse. The light is about 26 m above the water and is visible for 17 nautical miles (31 km). The spiral staircase leading to the light square consists of 102 cast-iron steps. in 1880 October 15 a terrible storm called the Great Surge of 1880 sank 7 ships near this lighthouse, and in 1928 October 12 cargo ship "M. J. Bartelme" ran aground due to fog.

A well-designed, well-detailed model of a beautiful lighthouse for modellers of all experience. Advanced beginners and modelers with little experience are advised to work under the supervision of a more experienced colleague. Everything can be overcome and done if you take your time, work patiently, carefully and precisely.