Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse
Rockland, Maine
Built in 1888
Location:
Marking the entrance to Rockland Harbor, of Samoset Drive from Route 1. You can walk the nearly mile long jetty to explore around the lighthouse.
Latitude: 44° 06' 15" N
Longitude: 69° 04' 39" W
Historic Stories:
The lighthouse was built in 1888 to accommodate the heavy lime trade coming in and out of Rockland Harbor, and with other industries like fishing, granite quarrying, steamship transportation and ice harvesting, Rockland Harbor was becoming one of the busiest places on the Maine coast.
In 1844, the ship Maine sailed out of Rockland Harbor with its load of lime. It never returned. However, three years later found on a vessel that had come into the harbor were a mahogany chest, ship's atlas, and navigation book belonging to the Maine. According to the Captain of the vessel, three Portuguese Sailors had left these items behind when they had jumped ship in Vera Cruz. No trace of the ship Maine or her crew was ever found.
While creating the breakwater between 1881 and 1899, workers would erect a light at the end of each section of the breakwater they had finished. The final lighthouse tower attached to the keeper's quarters was constructed at the end of the breakwater.
| This had the beacon stationed 7/8 of a mile out into the harbor. | 
Early Rockland Breakwater Light |
In 1902 Rockland Harbor Light was rebuilt.
The Flying Santa
One Christmas morning in 1929, a local pilot, Captain William Wincapaw, decided to take flight and drop some gifts to some of the keepers in the Rockland and Penobscot Bay area to show his appreciation during the lonely holiday season.
The outpouring of thanks afterwards of the gentle gesture inspired him to make the venture each year, increasing his range to add additional lighthouses on each trip. He became known as the first "Flying Santa", and got his family involved as well.
Soon, lighthouse historian Edward Rowe Snow would join in the efforts and took over the duties as Flying Santa when Wincapaw died unexpecxtedly of a heart attack.
Today the tradition of the Flying Santas continues with the Coast Guard using helicoptors to deliver gifts to Coast Guard families and to honor the previous lighthouse keepers.
The organization Friends of Flying Santa is directly involved with this annual tradition and keeps the public informed about lighthouse preservation efforts, and of events provided to raise funds to purchase gifts for children of Coast Guard familes, in appreciation of those who serve.
Note: For more detailed information about Captain Wincapaw's story and Edward Rowe Snow as the Flying Santas, select the link "Flying Santa" Blog at the top of the page.
In 1951, one former Coast Guardsman who was stationed at the lighthouse caught a 27-pound lobster off the breakwater.
The lighthouse was automated in 1965. Restoration efforts started in 1998 and most was completed in 2003.
Places to Visit Nearby:
There is a small park near the beginning of the breakwater, the Marie H. Reed Breakwater Park. The lighthouse is also part of the 5.5-mile Rockland Harbor Trail that also takes hikers through the city and some of its open spaces.
| Take a walk along the unique 7/8-mile breakwater out to the lighthouse. |  |
You can join many who fish off the breakwater during high tide.
Tour boats and schooners from Rockland, Camden, and Rockport are available to take you around the lighthouses and nearby islands.
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Any of these boats entering or leaving Rockland Harbor will pass by the lighthouse. |
The ferries from Rockland to Vinalhaven, and North Haven pass by the lighthouse. For those who love sailing, A Morning in Maine provides daily two-hour nature and historic public sails aboard a 55-foot ketch, and there are sunset sails, Monroe Island, Blues Festival, and Science Under event sails as well. Bufflehead Sailing Charters provides between one and eight hour cruises aboard a small 32-foot wooden gaff sloop, including lobster bakes and night sails.
| In Rockland, visit the Maine Lighthouse Museum and observe Fresnel lenses and artifacts from nearby lighthouses. |  |
The museum includes the largest first order lens, visitors can hear foghorns and explore all kinds of lighthouse memorabilia (open early June to October).
Tour the Farnsworth Art Museum. Home to over twenty galleries, "Arts in Rockland" promotes, each first Friday of the month, an “art walk” to explore these galleries.
Rockland is a major music destination for may artists, especially those who love the blues. Each year in July, Rockland hosts the North Atlantic Blues Festival, and throughout the year top blues acts visit the Strand Theater, which also has all kinds of other musical, dance, and theater acts during the year.
Schooner Passes by Breakwater
and Lighthouse
Directions:
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From US Route 1 North in Rockland, turn right onto Waldo Ave (across from the gas station on the left),
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Then turn right onto Samoset Drive to a small parking lot at the end or park along the left side of the road.
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Or, from US Route 1 take Falls St. to the end for sunrise photos.
Contact Info:
Friends of the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse
P.O. Box 741
Rockland, Maine 04841
(207) 542-7574
Local Boat Tours and Windjammer Cruises
Boat cruises and ferries mentioned below may offer many types of cruises. They pass by Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse while entering and leaving Rockland Harbor. While some may offer specific lighthouse cruises that provide close views of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, some will pass by the lighthouse as part of sailing charters, narrated wildlife and historic tours, fishing tours, and other types of excursions. Weather is also a major factor in New England, especially on sailing excursions, so schooner windjammer cruises are dependent on sailing conditions that determine the route.
Maine State Ferry Service
Ferry to Matinicus Island, Vinalhaven, and Northhaven. Passes by Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse while entering and leaving Rockland Harbor.
P.O. Box 645
517A Main Street
Rockland, Maine 04841-0645
Phone:. (207) 596-2202
1-800-491-4883
Ferry from Lincolnville to Islesboro
P.O. Box 214
Lincolnville, Maine 04849-0214
Phone:. (207) 789-5611
Camden Harbor Cruises
Provides 1-hour Lighthouse Lobster Tour from Camden, and a 3-hour Sunday Lighthouse Cruise aboard a classic wooden motor vessel, the Lively Lady.
16 Camden Public Landing,
Box 1315, Camden, ME 04843
Phone: (207) 236-6672
Lighthouses: Curtis Island, Indian Island, Owls Head, Browns Head, Rockland Breakwater
Windjammer Cruises Out of Rockand
Weather is a major factor in New England, so schooner windjammer cruises are dependent on sailing conditions that determine their route or that day, and may not pass by selected lighthouses, but the excitement and adventure they provide is well worth the trip. Many of these sail out of or come into Rockland Harbor and pass by Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse. Windjammers that leave out of Rockland are listed below.
Schooner Heritage
The 145-foot Heritage offers 3-day to 6-day sails without a specific itinerary, but always passes by lighthouses and its captains are maritime historians.
P.O. Box 482, 5 Achorn Street, Rockland, ME 04841
Phone: (207) 594-8007 or (800) 648-4544
Schooner Grace Bailey
This completely restored 19th century schooner measures 123 feet in overall length. Three to six-day sails for various events, including participating in schooner races or regattas, lots of music, and sometimes island stopovers.
P.O. Box 1401, Rockland, ME 04841
Phone: (207) 691-9521
Email: info@sailgracebailey.com
Schooner J. & E. Riggin
Built in 1927, this 120-foot two-masted schooner has special 3 and 4 day “Lighthouses and Lobsters” cruises.
136 Holmes Street, Rockland, ME 04841
Phone: (800) 869-0604
Schooner American Eagle
Sails on cruises of varying lengths, from two to nine days which include lighthouses and wildlife as part of every trip.
P.O. Box 482, 11 Front Street, Rockland, ME 04841
Phone: (207) 594-8007 or (800) 648-4544
Schooner Stephen Taber and Schooner Bowditch
Classic 140-year old schooner sails on one and multiple day cruises which include a “Lighthouse and Photography Cruise” featuring photography instruction with a local artist.
Windjammer Wharf
P.O. Box 1050, Rockland, ME 04841
Phone: (207) 594-4723 or (800) 999-7352
Scenic Flights
Chartering a variety of lighthouse viewing flights.
Knox County Regional Airport
Owls Head ME 04854
Phone: (207) 596-7500
Cellular: (207) 542-4944
Fax: (207) 596-6870
Books to Explore
To order a signed paperback copy: Available from bookstores in paperback, hardcover, and as an eBook for all devices.
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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 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. These true stories include competitions, accidents, battling destructive storms, acts of heroism, and their final voyages. |
My 300-page book, Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions of Northern New England: New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont, provides human interest stories from each of the 76 lighthouses, along with the coastal attractions and tours near each beacon, and contact info to plan your special vacations. You'll find over 360 images inside as well. There is a section for windjammer cruises and sailing tours to help you decide on taking one of these adventures. You'll also find a detailed story about the Flying Santa(s) who brought gifts to keepers and their families, which started in this region. Look inside! |
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