Free Republic

Nearly three centuries ago, the merchants of lower Manhattan kept losing ships to the sandbars that lined the narrow channel leading to New York City.  Upset over the growing losses, the merchants banded together and built a lighthouse on the edge of Sandy Hook in order to guide ships safely to the young city. The lighthouse was so effective that the British took it during the Revolutionary War to ensure their ships made it to Manhattan.The Sandy Hook lighthouse still shines its light 19 miles out to aid passing ships, a 70-foot-tall reminder of the importance of the sea to...