Musselbed Shoals Light

Musselbed Shoals Light is a 6-meter tall skeleton tower marking the entrance to Mount Hope Bay where shifting currents and sandbars create navigation hazards. The automated beacon guides vessels safely through the narrow channels in this busy shipping corridor.

The original lighthouse was built in 1873 as maritime traffic increased along the East Coast. A major hurricane in 1938 damaged the structure so severely that it was replaced with the current skeletal tower design.

The light represents Rhode Island's long connection to the sea and the importance of safe passage through these waters. It stands as a reminder of how local communities have depended on such beacons to protect maritime life.

The light stands in shallow waters of Narragansett Bay and is best viewed from a boat or the shoreline of nearby beaches. Visitors should plan to see it from the water or from coastal viewpoints rather than expect ground-level access.

The skeleton tower design with its open lattice structure was an engineering innovation that reduced material costs and wind resistance compared to traditional solid towers. This efficient style became widely adopted for coastal lights built in the later 1900s.

Location: Rhode Island

Inception: 1873

Height: 6 m

GPS coordinates: 41.63628,-71.25992

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:44