Ambrose Light (ship) Ambrose Light (ship) Ambrose Light was a brigantine, operated by Colombian rebels. It was captured by USS "Alliance" as a suspected pirate vessel in 1885. The accusation of piracy was rejected by a court of law. On April 24, Commander Lewis Clark, of the South Atlantic Squadron, was sailing to Cartagena, on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, when the lookouts aboard "Alliance" sighted the one-gun "Ambrose Light". It was flying a strange flag featuring a red cross over a white background so the Americans assumed the vessel was a pirate ship. A chase began and the Americans were preparing to
Port Washington Light was first lit in 1889. This tower was unmanned and was maintained by the keepers of the older light. By 1903 it was clear that only one light was needed, and the old Port Washington Light was discontinued. Keeper Charles Lewis, Jr. retired in 1924 upon the electrification of the pierhead light, but apparently continued to live in the old house. In 1934, however, a new steel tower was installed on the breakwater, and this light required manual maintenance of its foghorns. The old light was remodeled to house the new set of keepers, including the removal of the tower