The approach to New York Harbor is filled with numerous aids and lights to help the mariner safely reach his destination. To aid shipping a new channel, known as the Ambrose Channel, was planned, dredged and completed in 1908. To facilitate the use of the new channel the Light House Board planned to build a set of range lights. The front range light for the Ambrose Channel would be the West Bank Light previously built and lit in Raritan Bay in 1901. A new rear range light needed to be constructed on Staten Island to range with the West Bank Light.