Building a New Light – Lighthouse Under Construction

In 1909, the original wooden lighthouse was replaced with a new concrete tower, one of a new generation of lighthouses built across Canada designed to more exacting standards. Using an up-to-date ferro-concrete construction technique – essentially reinforced concrete – the tower was built to support the weight of a heavier and more powerful light. The tower reached 82 feet in height, topped by an iron lantern 12 feet in diameter. In 1923-24, the cement structure was doubled in size, transforming the circular lighthouse into an octagonal one. With slight modifications, the tower stands virtually unchanged today.

With the focal plane at 69 feet in height, the lighthouse is similar in height to others of the same vintage. It was equipped with a much more powerful light than its predecessor. Using a dioptric lens, the light produced by the combustion of kerosene was both stronger and more precise than the parabolic lens it replaced. The optical lens measures 4 feet 8 inches and weighs several tons. The Metis light produced three flashes, with 1 second between each flash, followed by an eclipse of 4 ¾ seconds. This sequence was designed to assist mariners as they went up or down the St. Lawrence; Cap-Chat having two flashes, Metis three and Father Point, four. The Metis light, like all others of a similar vintage, used a system of counterweights in order to turn, revolving in a low friction environment provided by ball-bearings lubricated by liquid mercury. It was replaced by a small electric motor years later. The light enjoyed its last revolution in 2017 when the removal of the mercury brought the mechanism to a grinding halt. With the help of a crew of engineers, the light came back to life in 2023, with a near bearing system to turn the heavy light on its original base.

With the help of a crew of engineers, the light came back to life in 2023, with a newar bearing system to turn the heavy light on its original base.