Ram Island Ledge Light stands off Cape Elizabeth at the southern end of Casco Bay, marking the northern end of the main channel into Portland Harbor and warning ships away from the dangerous Ram Island Ledges near Cushing Island. After an iron spindle placed in 1855 failed to prevent wrecks, including the grounding of the steamship Californian in 1900, Congress funded a permanent lighthouse. Built from 1903 to 1905 of Vinalhaven granite and modeled as a twin of Graves Light off Boston, it reflects the harsh offshore conditions at Portland’s harbor entrance. The light was later electrified, automated, converted to solar power, and eventually sold into private ownership in 2010.