Cove Island Lighthouse
Located on Cove Island- Bruce Peninsula

The Light on Cove Island

Engineer William Scott described the moment when the Cove Island light was lit by George Collins, the first keeper, on the night of October 30, 1858, "The light.... seems to gather together, rolling itself up into a dark cloudy night and then bursting out into a brilliant flame and illuminates the whole horizon."

Built of limestone quarried on the island by a team of masons and stone cutters, the Cove Island light warns mariners of nearby shoals. Unfortunately, it did not prevent numerous vessels from meeting their fate on the hidden rocks that surround the island.

The Regina was the most famous of these shipwrecks. She went down in September, 1881, taking with her the schooner's skipper, Captain Amos Tripp. Light keeper George Currie discovered Tripp's body and buried him on the west side of the island. Tripp's body was later recovered and returned to Collingwood. Legend has it that the ghost of the Captain would appear on dark nights, asking to play a hand of cards with the Cove Island Keeper.

The lighthouse tower, with the last revolving Fresnel light on the Great Lakes, can be best viewed by boat, either from the ferry, M. S. Chi-cheemaun, or by tour boat out of Tobermory.

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