Lighthouse in peril from cliff erosion

A historic lighthouse in eastern P.E.I. needs to be moved away from a cliff that is rapidly eroding.

The Cape Bear Lighthouse, on the southeastern tip of the Island, will be moved about 65 metres to the north.

"The erosion to the banks especially to the bank at Cape Bear has been extensive over the last few years because I think the weather seems to be more severe," said Wallace Jordan, president of the community group in control of the lighthouse.

"The lighthouse now is within feet of the bank so we're acting with urgency."

The move is to take place this summer.

The lighthouse, built in 1880, was the first in Canada to receive the SOS signal from the Titanic.

The signal was received earlier by the Cape Race Lighthouse in Newfoundland, which was not part of Canada at the time.