Haunted Lighthouses - New London Ledge Lighthouse

Located at the mouth of the Thames River, entrancecaptain of the Block Island Ferry in 1936.
to New London Harbor, Connecticut at the easternErnie is said to make his presence known by opening
end of Long Island Sound sits the New London Ledgeand closing doors, washing the decks, operating the
Lighthouse. Built in 1909 on the Southwest Ledge, thelight and fog signal, and untying secured boats to let
lighthouse was originally called the Southwest Ledgethem drift away. Before the station was automated,
Light, but to avoid confusion with another lighthouse inCoast Guard crews on duty reported frequently
New Haven, the Southwest Ledge Light, the lighthousehearing mysterious knocks on their bedroom doors in
was renamed to New London Ledge Light in 1910.the middle of the night, doors opening and closing, the
This lighthouse itself is a unique, one-of-a-kind structuretelevision being turned on and off repeatedly, and
with square red brick quarters topped with a mansardcovers pulled off the end of their bed.
roof (a French type of roof designed to makeThe New London Ledge Lighthouse was the last
maximum use of the interior space of the attic) and aremaining manned lighthouse on Long Island Sound
circular lantern room. To appease the residents whowhen it was finally automated in 1987. Since then,
didn't want to gaze upon an eyesore sitting in the sea,reports of Ernie's visits have dramatically decreased,
the lighthouse was built in Colonial and Frenchmost likely because there is hardly ever anyone there.
architectural style in order to blend in with the large andThis seems to be a relief to those who were stuck
historic homes on the shores.manning the light house. The final day of manned
The lighthouse was finally built after a half-century ofoperation shows a log entry reading, "A Rock of slow
petitions requesting an offshore lighthouse - the firsttorture. Ernie's domain. Hell on earth. May New London
one in 1845 - from mariners and residents stating theLedge's light shine on forever because I'm through. I will
dangers to maritime traffic in the area due to thewatch it from afar while drinking a brew."
inadequcy of the four buoys in the harbor and the TheThere have been investigations at the lighthouse. In the
New London Harbor Lighthouse on the shore. Thelate '90s, a TV reporter from Japan spent a night
Lighthouse Board detailed the inherent dangers toinside the lighthouse to investigate the story of Ernie,
maritime traffic at New London to Congress in 1902and loud whispering noises were heard through the
and 1903 and requested funds for constructing anight, audible on camera. The Atlantic Paranormal
lighthouse. The construction was completed in 1909.Society (TAPS), who have become known by their
The United States Coast Guard officially took over theseries "Ghost Hunters" on the Sci-Fi Channel,
care of the lighthouse in 1939 and still keeps an eye oninvestigated the place in 2005 but made no significant
the place. Most of the stories of the ghostly lightkeeperobservations.
have come from the Coast Guard crews manning theToday, the lighthouse is leased by the Coast Guard to
lighthouse.the New London Ledge Lighthouse Foundation, partly
New London Ledge is locally famous for the ghostfunded by the City of New London. The lighthouse is
nicknamed Ernie who allegedly haunts the lighthouse.used as a maritime classroom, while the Coast Guard
The famous ghost legend Ernie was a lightkeepercontinues to maintain the automated light. The group
supposedly jumped to his death from the roof of theplans to eventually open the lighthouse as a museum
lighthouse after learning that his wife ran off with theand may offer overnight accommodations.