The Second Tybee Lighthouse

In 1742, the second lighthouse built on Tybee was completed. It was described by Oglethorpe as “much the best building of that kind in America.” It was different from its predecessor, standing ninety-four feet with a flagstaff which ran from the nave to the top of the beacon. In 1748, the sea was within thirty feet of the lighthouse. A full time pilot was hired to assist vessels coming into the river.

 

 

 

 

Location, location, location....

A large part of the reason that the first Tybee Lighthouse was blown down in storms was that it was built too close to the shore. It's foundations becoming rotten with seawater. The second lighthouse was not much further inland. Within two years of its completion, wind erosion had removed a good part of the sand under the foundations. Piles were driven into the sand to support the foundations. Unfortunately that is when the sea started to encroach, going right up to the very door of the lighthouse. A new lighthouse was needed and time was running out.

 

Navigation near Tybee was hazardous, ships had to move slowly.