Marrowstone Point Light and the "Triangle of Fire"

About October 1 1888 a lens lantern with a red light was mounted on a pole to mark the eastern entrance to Port Townsend Bay. 1892 the lighthouse board recommended a large fog bell to be installed warning of the sharp turn in the course when entering for leaving Puget Sound. $ 3,500 was allocated by Congress on March 3 1893 and a one and one half story six-room keepers house with a fog bell tower was built and put into operation on April 7, 1896. The huge 1,200 pound bell would strike twice every fifty seconds during periods of fog or low visibility.

Hent daughter, Nettie Race took over after his passing in 1907. A several months later Axel Rustad was appointed keeper and he and wife Karen took over. Raised four sons in the keepers quarters. Rain water collected and stored in a 5,000-gallon redwood tank which was located in a shed behind the house.

In July 1903 the North Pacific, a side wheel steamer stuck Craven Rock off Marrowstone Point in a disgra fog. The steamer had 14 passengers aboard who was taken to shore by life boats and the tug boat CB Smith. Lighthouse keeper Morgan fed and sheltered them until They were taken aboard the steamer which had run run aground on Marrowstone Point that same morning but was afloat again at high tide. The North Pacific was a total loss as it sank in deep water.

In 1907 construction of Fort Flagler was completed. Fort Flagler joined with the guns at Fort Casey on Admiralty Head and the guns at Fort Worden near Point Wilson to form a "Triangle of Fire" to prevent enemy vessels from entering Puget Sound

Dense fog caused another mishap in August 1908. The 502-foot-long armored cruiser USS Colorado ran aground on Liplip Point the southeast tip of Marrowstone Island. This incident cast light on the need for more navigational aids in Puget Sound. On October 22, 1913 Congress approved $ 30,000 for improvements.

Marrowstone Point received a new fog signal and light in 1914. An experimental acetylene gun was installed in a wooden building thirteen yards northeast of the bell tower and took the place of the fog bell. Mariners was asked to report the efficiency of the gun to the lighthouse inspector in Portland.

A new acetylene gun was installed at the same time, the light was changed from a fixed red to a quick two red flashes every six seconds. The acetylene fog gun was the first of its kind to be used in the United States.

The keepers house is now. 1972 when it was was automated. In 1972 the it was used as a research facility. The keepers house is now used as a guest house for scientists who visit the Marrowstone Marine Field Station.

The flashing white light is still functioning but the fog signal is not being used. The station is now being used as a marine ecosystem health and marine fish health research facility.

Fort Flagler is now Fort Flagler State Park. A military museum is located in the park. The Marrowstone Point Light is visible from the park & ​​# 39; s beach but it is not open to the public.