Burnt Coat Harbor
(Hockamock Head) Lighthouse
Swan’s Island, Maine
Built in 1839
Location:
Southern tip of Swan's Island, marking the entrance to Burnt Coat Harbor, Swan's Island's main port.
Latitude: 44° 08' 03" N
Longitude: 68° 26' 50" W
Historic Stories:
Swan’s Island was first explored by Samuel de Champlain in 1604 and was frequented by the local Indians for fishing and hunting. The Island’s name came from James Swan, who bought the island and had participated in the Boston Tea Party that helped to start the Revolution.
In the 19th century, the island was involved in the lobstering, fishing, and granite quarrying industries. With the increasing traffic in Burnt Coat Harbor, two range light lighthouses were established in 1872 atop Hockamock Head, a large rocky hill along the shoreline. The range lights proved confusing to many mariners, and were considered to be responsible for at least one shipwreck in each year of service.
In 1884, the Coast Guard granted the residents their requests and discontinued one of the lights.
| The current 33-foot white square tower still stands today. |
Early Burnt Coat Harbor |
In the early 1900’s, during a fierce storm, a schooner filled with coal broke apart in a nearby ledge. The crew survived the ordeal and many local residents enjoyed the additional coal found around the area for fuel that following winter.
In 1982, the Coast Guard, trying to save money by putting a clear sealant over the browning exterior of the paint peeling lighthouse, drew numerous outcries from the locals as the lighthouse was “blending” into the landscape behind. The Coast Guard heard the complaints and repainted the lighthouse to its white exterior.
The main structural components of the lighthouse were renovated in 2006, and additional interior renovations were made on the Keeper's house in the summer of 2009, so overnight stays are available.
Places to Visit Nearby:
Access is by boat only from Bass Harbor. You can take the Swan’s Island Ferry (it can take cars) to get to Swan’s Island and drive, or take a long hike to the lighthouse.
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The grounds are open to the public, and during the summer months tours available inside the lighthouse. |
Visitors can also stay overnight in the keeper's house apartment.
The area is quite often foggy, especially in the mornings, but is very quiet.
| On this quiet island of 370 year round residents, you'll feel as if time has not changed in over 50 years here. |  |
Everyone waves a friendly hello here. You can stay overnight at either Jeanie’s B&B, or the Harbor Watch Motel (need reservations). There are only two places to eat on this island, the Island Bake Shop, which is like going to someone's house, for lunch and breakfast in the summertime with great homemade meals, and the Boat House Restaurant, also excellent food.
There is also a quarry filled with fresh deep water to jump in on a hot day like a Tom Sawyer would. You'll also find a general store and a small beach on the island.
Directions to the Lighthouse:
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Turn right out of the Swan’s Island ferry landing, then turn right again at the T-intersection nearly a mile later.
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Continue for another mile to you come to a fork and bear right.
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Continue for another 2-½ miles past the tiny village of Minturn into the town of Swan’s Island, which the locals call "the Harbor".
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Stay on the main road and bear to the left and continue nearly 5 miles along a narrow road to a small parking area next to the lighthouse.
Directions for a Distant View
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Turn right out of the Swan’s Island ferry landing, then turn right again at the T-intersection nearly a mile later.
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Continue for about a mile and bear left at the fork.
- You'll see a health center on the right and can view the lighthouse from the parking lot.
- For another view, continue a little further and take a left at the bend on a narrow paved road.
- Follow till you come to a dead end where you can get a nice view of the lighthouse across the harbor.
Contact Info:
Burnt Coat Harbor Light Organization
known as FOSIL (Friends of the Swan's Island Lighthouse)
433 Harbor Rd., Swan’s Island, ME 04685
Phone: (207) 526-4085
Email: fosil@burntcoatharborlight.com
Local Boat Tours
The Maine State ferry mentioned below provides direct acces to Swan's Island. Schedule ahead of time during the busy summer season.
Swan’s Island Ferry
Operated by the state on Maine Ferry Service. Swan's Island Ferry will take you to the island where you can drive or hike to the lighthouse.
118 Ferry Rd.
Swan’s Island, ME, 04685
(207) 526-4273
(207) 244-3254
They offer a special annual cruise during Maine's lighthouse weekend in September to see ten lighthouses, six on Saturday, and four on Sunday including Burnt Coat Harbor (Hockamock Head) Light, Great Duck Island Light, Bass Harbor Head Light and Blue Hill Bay Light.
Isle au Haut Boat Services
P.O. Box 709
Stonington, ME 04681
Tel. (207) 367-5193
www.isleauhaut.com
themailboat@isleauhaut.com
Books to Explore
Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions of Northern New England: This 300-page book (with over 360 images) provides human interest stories from each of the 76 lighthouses in northern New England, along with plenty of coastal attractions and tours near each beacon, and contact info to plan your special vacations. There are haunted lighthouses and lighthouses you can stay at, and all kinds of sailing and windjamming tours. Look inside! |
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Available in paperback, hard cover, and as an eBook for all devices.
Enjoy a 10% discount on the hardcover version. Printed and distributed globally by IngramSpark. |
The Rise and Demise of the Largest Sailing Ships: In the early 1900s, New England shipbuilders constructed the world’s largest sailing ships amid social and political reforms. These giants of sail were the ten original six-masted coal schooners and one colossal seven-masted vessel, built to carry massive quantities of coal and building supplies, and measured longer than a football field! This book, balanced with plenty of color and vintage images, showcases the historical accounts that followed these mighty ships. |
