Brenton Reef Light

Brenton Reef Light was a steel tower lighthouse at the entrance to Narragansett Bay that stood approximately 87 feet (27 meters) tall and operated automatically. The light sent two white flashes every ten seconds to guide ships through the waters.

The light was built in 1962 to replace a lightship that had been stationed at this location since 1853. The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1989 and dismantled in 1992.

The lighthouse served as a navigational marker that vessels relied on to navigate the tricky entrance to Narragansett Bay. Its light became a familiar sight for fishing boats and cargo ships that regularly passed through these waters.

Since the lighthouse no longer stands, visitors can only view its location from the water or explore historical records about the site. The best perspective comes from boat tours in Narragansett Bay that pass by this former location.

After dismantling, the lighthouse structure was intentionally sunk off Long Island to create an artificial reef. This conversion helped develop new marine habitat and gave the old structure an unexpected second life.

Location: Washington County

GPS coordinates: 41.42639,-71.38944

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:48