Wave-washed Saint George Reef Lighthouse (12km distant), the only thing not in motion in a gale-lashed Pacific Ocean off the coast of northern California near Crescent City. The light marks the outer extents of a treacherous bank of shoal areas, rocks and breakers, about 3nm wide by 6.5nm out to sea, named "Dragon Rocks" by Sir Francis Drake and now "St George Reef" on current navigation charts. The location for the lighthouse was selected in 1865 after numerous notable losses, but construction was not completed until 1892 due to the obvious logistical and weather challenges. The most expensive lighthouse ever built in the USA. Manned and operated until 1975, when it was replaced by a nearby floating navigation light. The lighthouse was finally abandoned in 1995. Seen here from Point Saint George, in a rare view between fronts in an early winter storm. Very challenging getting any photograph at all in such fierce conditions of salt spray, rain and gale! Del Norte County, California, USA.
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