Flint Island Lighthouse

This lighthouse is on a sandstone outcrop off the coast east of Sydney, Cape Breton.

Photo - © Courtesy Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Flint Island Lighthouse, 2008


Panorama of Flint Island, 2008

Tide rips form here and the irregular tidal streams can reach a speed of 2 knots.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Information from Sailing Directions, Gulf and River St. Lawrence, 1985, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Ottawa, Canada.
Photo - © Courtesy Fisheries and Oceans Canada


Flint Island Lighthouse Locator Map


FLINT ISLAND I - Light Details

  • Location: On northeast end of island, off Donkin
  • Standing: This light is no longer standing.
  • Operating: This light is no longer operating.
  • Began: 1856
  • Date Lit: Nov 01, 1856
  • Year Lit: 1856
  • Structure Type: Octagonal tower, white
  • Light Characteristic: Revolving White (1883)
  • Tower Height: 043ft feet high.
  • Light Height: 065ft feet above water level.

History Items for This Lighthouse

  • 1857 - unpainted at this time, flashing white (90s), catatropic lens
  • 1865 - Aug 01 - destroyed by fire

FLINT ISLAND II - Light Details

  • Location: On northeast end of island, off Donkin
  • Standing: This light is no longer standing.
  • Operating: This light is no longer operating.
  • Began: 1866
  • Year Lit: 1866
  • Structure Type: Octagonal concrete tower, white, red lanten

History Items for This Lighthouse

  • 1866 (?) - replaced original tower of 1856
  • 1883 - catatropic lens, revolving white (15s)
  • 1909 - replaced by present tower (maybe)

FLINT ISLAND III - Light Details

  • Location: On northeast end of island, off Donkin
  • Standing: This light is no longer standing.
  • Operating: This light is no longer operating.
  • Began: 1909
  • Year Lit: 1909
  • Structure Type: Octagonal concrete tower, white, red lantern
  • Light Characteristic: Flashing White (1941)
  • Tower Height: 062ft feet high.
  • Light Height: 074ft feet above water level.

History Items for This Lighthouse

  • 1909 - replaced second tower of 1866, diaphone fog signal established
  • 1930 - in operation, diaphone fog signal from seperate building
  • 1922 - 1943 - 3rd order dioptric lens, group flashing white (7.5s), 14m
  • 1955 - 1962 - replaced by present tower

FLINT ISLAND IV - Light Details

  • Location: On northeast end of island, off Donkin
  • Standing: This light is still standing.
  • Operating: This light is operational
  • Automated: All operating lights in Nova Scotia are automated.
  • Date Automated: Automated by 1987
  • Began: 1961
  • Year Lit: 1962
  • Structure Type: Octagonal concrete tower, white, red lantern
  • Light Characteristic: Flashing White (1992)
  • Tower Height: 059ft feet high.
  • Light Height: 070ft feet above water level.

History Items for This Lighthouse

  • 1955 - 1962 - replaced second tower of 1909
  • 1992 - electric lantern, group flashing white (25s), seasonal fog signal

Lightkeepers for Flint Island Lighthouse

Cann, George XXXX1857XX

Highlights

  • County: CBRM
  • Region: Cape Breton Island
  • Body of Water: Morien Bay
  • Scenic Drive: Marconi Trail
  • Site Access: By Boat
  • Characteristic: Flashing White (1992)
  • Tower Height: 059 ft
  • Height Above Water: 070 ft
  • Latitude: 46~10~51.0
  • Longitude: 59~46~13.2
  • Off Shore: Yes
  • Still Standing: Yes
  • Still Operating: No

Contact NSLPS

ask.us@nslps.com

C/O Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
1675 Lower Water Street
Halifax NS, Canada B3J 1S3