The oil house (and the base of the lighthouse) were damaged by the January 10 & 13, 2024 winter storms.
(Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)
From a perennial perspective, oil houses were the smallest structures established at historic light stations. Despite their one-time importance, these little buildings are often overlooked by the public when observed amid the light station collective. Understandably, a majestic lighthouse or the bygone dwelling for keepers and their families garners the bulk of attention.
Lack of stature or not, oil houses were and are an integral aspect of a light station. They tell a story all their own and offer much in the way of interpretive and adaptive reuse value. So when back to back storms hammered the New Hampshire and Maine coast on January 10 & 13, 2024, it was alarming to see the devastating damage these weather events caused to the brick oil house at Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse in New Castle, New Hampshire.
Storm seas reached as high as the slate roof of the oil house.
(Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)
The storms occurred during astronomical high tides – coupled with three to four foot surge, which caused the water to reach near unprecedented levels at Portsmouth Harbor Light Station. The 10 x 12-foot brick oil house stood in harm’s way with no place to hide from the onslaught of the sea.
Wave after wave hammered the south side of the oil house during each storm, severely testing the very fabric of the historic 1903 building. The fury of the sea was frightening. Waves pummeled the building as high as the slate roof – dislodging numerous sections of brickwork, while scouring out the interior brick floor along the southwest corner.
How the oil house withstood such force is a small miracle. In all likelihood, the only reason the structure survived was due to a full restoration the oil house received in recent years thanks to the dedicated efforts of the American Lighthouse Foundation’s (ALF) chapter, Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses (FPHL).
A view of the storm-damaged interior of the oil house at Portsmouth Harbor.
(Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)
All who care about the Portsmouth Harbor Light Station were relieved to see the oil house still standing in the wake of the two storms, but at the same time, were deeply concerned for the structure’s well-being. It was clear to see that the building’s strength was compromised by the extensive damage.
Would the compromised oil house stand for any length of time under its own weight? Certainly, the historic structure could not withstand another storm’s pounding. Emergency repairs to the oil house were essential in 2024, but time was not on our side.
After exploring potential disaster recovery funding options, a decision was made by the American Lighthouse Foundation board of directors to fund the emergency stabilization work on the oil house with organizational resources. The reason behind the decision was time-driven. ALF was not certain the disaster recovery funding process could be completed before the arrival of the 2024-25 storm season. Funding the project in-house was the surest way of expediting the urgently required repairs.
The J.B. Leslie Company completed an emergency stabilization project on the oil house during November 2024.
(Photo by Jim Leslie)
The J.B. Leslie Company of South Berwick, Maine, carried out the emergency stabilization work on the oil house in early November 2024. The J.B. Leslie Company is no stranger at Portsmouth Harbor Light Station. Over the years, the company has repainted the lighthouse twice and carried out repairs on the oil house and its foundation.
The emergency repairs on the oil house included the removal of the damaged brickwork and temporarily replacing it with concrete block until a permanent repair is planned and implemented. When the emergency stabilization work is undertaken on the storm-damaged base of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse in December 2024, concrete will be poured in the scoured areas under the injured brick floor of the oil house, further strengthening the emergency repairs.
In the field of lighthouse preservation – as in life, there are occasions when small things have a big impact. The oil house at Portsmouth Harbor Light Station is a perfect example! The American Lighthouse Foundation and its chapter, Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses, ran the gamut of emotions throughout the ordeal.
A view of the oil house after it received emergency repair work.
(Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)
From seeing the oil house harmed by the January 2024 storms, leaving concerns of its collapse at any point, to patiently carrying out due diligence on possible disaster recovery funding, the journey to safeguarding this charming brick structure was anything but easy.
Accomplishing emergency repairs on the oil house was more than a mere maintenance achievement. By successfully carrying out the project, the wheels are now turning on how best to ensure the oil house is made more resilient against future storms.
Even more, the project’s success buoyed the spirits of many – proving once more that no matter how small an historic light station building may be, its significance to the overall effort of lighthouse preservation can have a great impact on its stewards and supporters. Sometimes when it’s needed most!
A view of the interior of Portsmouth Harbor Light Station’s oil house following emergency repair work by the J.B. Leslie Company. (Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)
