Historic Martha’s Vineyard lighthouse rescue plan underway

Gay Head Lighthouse, Martha’s Vineyard. Image by Chris Costello / CC BY 2.0

A lighthouse on an island off Massachusetts that is among the most endangered historic landmarks in the US has begun its gradual march away from a rapidly eroding cliffside.

Powerful hydraulic pistons inched the 160-year-old Gay Head Lighthouse on Martha’s Vineyard roughly 5ft (1.5m) along steel rails lathered with soap.

The 52ft (15.8m)-high, 400 ton (406 metric ton) brick and mortar structure is expected to arrive at its final destination – a concrete pad about 135ft (41 meters) due south-east – as soon as Saturday.

(Press Association)