[1] Although its 20 feet (6.1 m) depth represented a hazard only to larger vessels, concern was sufficient to prompt a request in 1888 by Rep. William H. Crain for a lightship to mark the shoal.

This request was dismissed by the district engineers, but at the turn of the century the matter was raised again, and $40,000 was appropriated for construction of a fixed light.

Construction began in June 1904 but was halted due to a lack of funding, leaving the caisson in place but with naught but a temporary light on the base.

A hurricane in 1915 damaged the light and forced the keepers to abandon the station after waves breaking over the structure contaminated the water supply; they were able to return several days later.

[1] It colloquially has been known by fishermen and outdoorsmen as “The Eighteen Mile Light,” referring to its distance from the old Coast Guard Lifeboat Station.