Gay Head Light Move Begins
Students ask questions, lighthouse keeper Richard Skidmore and Len Butler have the answers.
Students ask questions, lighthouse keeper Richard Skidmore and Len Butler have the answers.
Two hydraulic cylinders clamp to the travel beams and slowly push the lighthouse along.
Two hydraulic cylinders clamp to the travel beams and slowly push the lighthouse along.
Chilmark second and third graders visited the lighthouse Thursday.
Chilmark second and third graders visited the lighthouse Thursday.
Jerry Matyiko, owner of Expert House Movers.
Jerry Matyiko, owner of Expert House Movers.
Lighthouse will move 129 feet over steel beams.
Lighthouse will move 129 feet over steel beams.
Those involved with project gathered for a press conference before the move began.
Those involved with project gathered for a press conference before the move began.
Onlookers gather to observe.
Onlookers gather to observe.
Gay Head Light was Island's first lighthouse.
Gay Head Light was Island's first lighthouse.
Lighthouse workers rubbed Ivory soap on the travel beams.
Lighthouse workers rubbed Ivory soap on the travel beams.
Once it started rolling, lighthouse has to go in a straight line to new destination.
Once it started rolling, lighthouse has to go in a straight line to new destination.
Onlookers gathered at new foundation to watch the action.
Onlookers gathered at new foundation to watch the action.
Public viewing of the move is scheduled for Saturday; some onlookers gathered Thursday.
Public viewing of the move is scheduled for Saturday; some onlookers gathered Thursday.
Hugh and Jeanne Taylor on the scene.
Hugh and Jeanne Taylor on the scene.
Lighthouse move required removal of 3,500 tons of dirt and boulders.
Lighthouse move required removal of 3,500 tons of dirt and boulders.
Trying to get a glimpse of slow-moving history.
Trying to get a glimpse of slow-moving history.
Gay Head Light moved 52 feet on first day of relocation.
Gay Head Light moved 52 feet on first day of relocation.
Lighthouse move has been long-planned; effort cost some $3 million.
Lighthouse move has been long-planned; effort cost some $3 million.
Just before noon on Thursday, the Gay Head Light started to depart from the location where it has rested for nearly 160 years. The long-planned move will take the lighthouse 129 feet away from the current location, which is threatened by eroding cliffs.