This location apparently gained its name when Her Majesties 350 ton ship Wolfe ran aground on the shoals there in 1691. Beginning in 1821 light ships were stationed at the shoals and these, in turn, were replaced by a screwpile lighthouse in 1870. That lighthouse was destroyed by ice in 1893. The current structure was built the following year and the fourth order lens, visible 11 miles, was lit in September 1894. The lighthouse gained its distinctive red coat of paint in either the late 1920s or early 30s. Since it was used as a radio calibration station, it remained manned until 1971, which in part accounts for its excellent condition. The light is still active.