Cape Hatteras is a cape located in the United States, on the North Carolina coast, located on the Outer Banks Island of the same name and is a bend in the island. The waters around the cape are very rough due to the collision of two ocean currents. These rough waters, combined with shoals, were often the cause of many shipwrecks in the area, hence the place around the Cape became known as the “graveyard of the Atlantic. The history of the name of Cape Hatteras itself goes back to 1585. In 1803 a lighthouse was built on the cape, and in 1870 it was replaced by the brick Hatteras Lighthouse. At 60.50 meters tall, it is one of the tallest stone lighthouses in the world and the tallest in the United States. The lighthouse is part of the Cape Hatteras National Wildlife Refuge. Cape Hatteras Beach is one of the top ten beaches in America. The beach provides excellent surfing and fishing opportunities.
Cape Hatteras is located at a point where two very different currents (Gulf Stream and Labrador) collide. Because of that shoals and fogs are constantly shifting and storms are the rightful masters here.
All this led to the imminent wrecks of many ships. Not without reason this place was nicknamed very frighteningly – “the cemetery of the Atlantic”. Permanent accidents could only be prevented by building lighthouses to guide and direct ships correctly. This is how the Cape Hatteras lighthouse arose, which today is considered an important part of the national reserve of the same name in the United States.
The first lighthouse arose here as far back as 1797. Its height reached 34 meters. This allowed all captains to easily see it from 29 km away. However, it was destroyed in 1862. The new one was put in place only in 1871. And at that time it was considered the highest lighthouse on the planet. By the end of the 20th century, the Cape Hatteras lighthouse began to be threatened by coastal erosion, which every year took away most of the land. Therefore, it was decided to move the brick structure inland, which was safely done. Today the lighthouse is open to visitors. And a special center arose next to it, where anyone can learn the history of the island and the lighthouse itself.