Diamond Shoals, which extend many miles out from Cape Hatteras, is considered to be one of the most dangerous spots on the Atlantic seaboard.

The firm of Anderson & Barr, which had constructed the Fourteen Foot Bank Light in Delaware Bay in 1885-1887, was awarded the contract.

It was sunk into the shoal on July 1 and immediately began to tilt due to the sandy bottom and severe scour by the currents.

The unmanned lighthouse suffered significant damage from Hurricane Fran in 1996, and the catwalks were subsequently found to be so rotten that the light could only be safely visited by helicopter.

Amberjack and barracuda are some of the larger fish that call Diamond Shoals light tower their home.