As a coastal community the lighthouses of Prince Edward Island not only served the efficient purpose of lighting the way residence before the era of GPS navigation, they now offer a unique possibility to those who visit. Prince Edward Island offers a multiplicity of lighthouse tours ranging from the scenic to the informative.
As most are aware, lighthouses served as a navigational aid for sailors and the ships they captained. Lighthouses are towers that are situated on sea shores, or even from time to time in harbors. They use a series of lamps and lenses to assist guide navigating vessels on the high seas. Lighthouses are used to mark hazardous coastlines, steer ships away from hazards, mark secure entry points into harbors and assist in aerial navigation. With that in mind it is critical to note how vital lighthouses were to trade and commerce in the course of human history.
PEI has a wealthy history and is the birthplace of confederation in Canada. It in addition has multiple historic lighthouses that were used to guide the ships delivering goods to and from Canada. PEI’s lighthouses are classified in two ways “First Generation” (built before 1873) and “Second Generation” (those built going after 1873). The difference among the two types is that first generation lighthouses have an octagonal shape and were constructed when timber was plentiful in the province. The second generation lighthouses are square shaped as by this point (post 1873) PEI’s timber supply had been scarce due to the shipbuilding industry.
Lighthouse technology, regardless used less in modern times, employs a series of lamps and lenses to project light through large distances. This technology utilizes concentrated light from a single uninterrupted source and magnifies and reflects it so as to it may be beamed across open water. The first lighthouses were lit by candles, later by whale oil, then by the 1870’s kerosene was frequently used.
As an island PEI boasts through 40 historic lighthouses. Surrounded by both scenic red sand beaches and rugged cliffs touring the lighthouses brings wonderful insight into maritime life and well as a wealthy Canadian history. Since Prince Edward Island is surrounded by water you are never to far from the breathtaking views of the gentle island.