Rock of Ages, Michigan

HL271 Limited Edition

The haunting refrain from this historic hymn reminds mankind of his ultimate vulnerability. So it was no coincidence that mariners named a deadly underwater hazard in the frigid waters of Lake Superior "Rock of Ages." After all, this menace took vessels. It swallowed cargo. It stole lives. 

Located near Isle Royale, the Rock became infamous among sailors trying to capitalize on the discovery of copper in the area. In fact, ore freighters visiting Isle Royale would avoid the relatively calm western passage, where the Rock dwelled, in favor of navigating the stormy eastern passage.

The Rock itself, only 150 feet long, was impossible for mariners to spot with enough notice to avoid it. So officials began the arduous task of building a sentinel on the exposed portion of the Rock.

All the materials to build a steel caisson lighthouse were brought by ship. Workers blasted an enormous hole in the stone and secured the 'sparkplug' sentinel to the concrete pier. It is hard to imagine the construction crews accomplishing all of this while floating on nearby boats. The sheer remoteness is enough to make this undertaking nothing less than an engineering feat. But difficult or not, the light was desperately needed.

Established in 1908, the Rock of Ages Lighthouse cast its second-order Fresnel lens from a focal height of 130 feet. The Keeper’s Quarters were integral to the tower and the Lightkeepers endured long months of isolation without reprieve. There was no running to the store for supplies; there was no room for a garden, and no place to keep chickens. The station was as basic as any could get. One could only imagine what a difficult and dangerous job it was to serve at the Rock of Ages.

By 1978, the beacon was fully automated. A 190 mm optic replaced the originally revolving Fresnel lens, which is now displayed at the Windigo Information Station at Isle Royale National Park. Rock of Ages is still an active aid to navigation, warning navigators away from its hidden hazards.