The JB Leslie Company and DB Tree Crane Service removed a number of granite blocks that were obstructing the entryway leading down from Fort Constitution. A number of the granite blocks were moved by the January 2024 storms.
(Photo by Ann-Marie Trapani)
Summer Update from June 29, 2026…
Great things are happening at Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse in New Castle, New Hampshire, which will result in public access being restored to the Seacoast Region’s beloved 1878 cast-iron light tower.
Severe winter storms in 2022, and then again in 2024, took a toll on the 80-foot wooden footbridge, which visitors used in the past to access the lighthouse during open houses and special guided tours.
In December 2022, a storm washed away a long section of the 80-foot wooden footbridge that led from Fort Constitution to the lighthouse. During January 2024, back-to-back storms destroyed the remaining section of the wooden footbridge, while wrecking one of the supporting granite piers.
A view of the granite blocks strewn along Fort Constitution where the wooden footbridge used to connect to the fort wall. On June 29, 2026, a project was carried out to reposition the granite to the left and right of the fort’s entryway down to the beach. (L to R) Jim Leslie of the J.B. Leslie Company, Derrick Boucher of DB Tree crane service and Bill Hoffman of the J.B. Leslie Company.
(Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)
Large granite pieces from the lost pier were strewn about the base of Fort Constitution where the footbridge originated. These storm-tossed granite blocks were problematic to installing temporary staircases at the site – one leading down from the fort, and the other leading up to the masonry base of the lighthouse.
The American Lighthouse Foundation’s local chapter – Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse, have contracted with the J.B. Leslie Company on a $10,000 project to shift the granite blocks and install two new marine-grade aluminum staircases. The first phase of the project was completed on June 29, 2026, when DB Tree crane service repositioned a number of the jumbled granite blocks at the site – a few weighing up to 7,000 pounds.
DB TREE did an excellent job with the evolution, which now enables the J.B. Leslie Company to tackle the last phase – the installation of the aluminum staircases. The project has been made possible through generous donations to the Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses by the Lighthouse Credit Union and the New England Lighthouse Lovers, Inc.
Derrick Boucher of DB Tree crane service prepares to attach a piece of granite to the crane’s hook just before it is lifted and moved out of the way.
(Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)
Derrick Boucher of DB Tree crane service and Bill Hoffman of the J.B. Leslie Company work on digging out a piece of granite.
(Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)
Derrick Boucher of DB Tree crane service guides a granite block as the crane operator repositions it.
(Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)
(L to R) Derrick Boucher of DB Tree crane service and Bill Hoffman of the J.B. Leslie Company work to clear masonry debris from the fort’s entryway down to the beach.
(Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)
Derrick Boucher of DB Tree crane service guides a block of granite as it was being moved closer to the oil house.
(Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)
A view of the granite blocks that were repositioned so that a temporary staircase can be installed along the outside wall of Fort Constitution.
(Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)
DB Tree’s crane at Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse on June 29, 2026.
(Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)
(L to R) Jim Leslie, President of the J.B. Leslie Company, Tyler Scott (crane operator) of DB Tree crane service, Derrick Boucher, President of DB Tree crane service, Bill Hoffman of the J.B. Leslie Company and Bob Trapani, Jr., Executive Director of the American Lighthouse Foundation, at Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse on June 29, 2026.
(Photo by Ann-Marie Trapani)
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