 In 1838 the light was described as a revolving light, the tower being from the base to the lantern.A new first-order lens was installed in the tower on January 1, 1858.On December 20, 1860, on receiving reports from the lighthouse inspector at Charleston regarding the probable seizure of the lighthouse property by the Confederacy, the Secretary of the Lighthouse Board wrote the Secretary of the Treasury that he would not recommend "that the coast of South Carolina be lighted by the Federal Government against her will."