the light was struck glancing blows by passing ships several times over the years. a story in the december 19, 1954 "philadelphia evening bulletin" recalled that the keepers slept in life jackets for fear of having to abandon the station should it be struck. this precaution proved unnecessary, but only because damage from a storm in november 1951 had resulted in sufficiently serious damage that the light was automated, controlled by the keepers of the miah maull shoal light to the south. on october 20, 1953, however, the isthmian lines' ore freighter "steel apprentice", navigating in thick fog and without operable radar, struck the light head-on, knocking most of the house into the bay. the coast guard removed the wreckage and erected a steel skeleton tower on the old foundation. this light remains in service.