The United States Coast Guard and the United States Life Saving Service, one of its predecessor agencies, have had a presence in Chatham, Massachusetts since 1806. The current station and light are located between Main Street and Silver Leaf Avenue. The 2.8-million candlepower light was installed in 1969 atop the 48-foot-high cast-iron tower built as the south tower in 1877. The double dwellings for the keeper and assistant keeper and their families were also constructed in 1877. In 1923, the north tower was moved up the coast to Eastham. The south tower light was automated in 1982. When we visited in October 2021, all public tours had been suspended indefinitely.
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| Sunlight filters through the lantern |
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| Motor lifeboat CG44301 in service 1963 to 2009 |
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| Specifications, design, and history of Motor Lifeboat CG44301 |
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| A couple of coastguardsmen playing catch on the lawn |
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| Light and double dwellings |
Next door to the Lifeboat Station is the William Henry Mack Memorial. This granite obelisk was erected in memory of the owner of the Barge Wadena, her crew of four, and seven crewmen of the Monomoy Life Saving Station who died while attempting to save the crew of the Wadena on March 17, 1902. It also commemorates Captain Elmer F Mayo who rescued the eighth member of the Life Saving Station crew.
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| One last look at the lighthouse |
The lifeboat station is adjacent to a public road and sidewalk. Please respect the privacy of the coastguard crews that live at the station and remain on the public sidewalk side of the fence.
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