Maine's Penobscot Bay, Acadia and Downeast areas are surrounded by a fickle Atlantic. Beside strong winds, fog and fowl weather, the intricate rocky shoreline, narrow channels and small bays offer plenty of hazards for unwary sailors. This particular stretch of coastline is dotted with over 40 lighthouses, making it a paradise for lighthouse friends. One of Maine's tallest lighthouses signals a warning of an underwater sandbar in the cut between Petit Manan Point and its island, just offshore. The first light built in 1817 was only 50 feet in height. The replacement beacon, 123 foot tower built of granite block, replaced the insufficient first tower. Strong winds quickly set this tower rocking, leading to some furhter engineering evaluations. This striking sunrise view shows the tower and lightkeeper's house at its island location, part on the Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge.