Montague Island Light
Encyclopedia
Montague Island Light is an active lighthouse
on Montague Island, an island 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) offshore from Narooma on the south coast of New South Wales
, Australia
. The lighthouse is located at the highest point of the island.
along the New South Wales coast.
The original constructor did not complete the construction due to finance problems. Problems started with an unauthorized blasting by the contractor that damaged the granite boulder selected as base. As a result, the tower was repositioned several feet. After more difficulties and delay the contractor gave up the contract. In 1880 a temporary light was set up, and a new tender was given, with construction completing a year later in October 1881, 4 months early. The official lighting was on 1 November 1881. The light characteristic was a steady flare for 30s, then an eclipse for 13s, then a flash for 4s, then another eclipse of 13s, a total cycle of one minute. The power source was oil, though some reports say kerosene
, and the light intensity was 45,000 cd.
The light was upgraded once in 1910 to an intensity of 250,000 cd, with the installation of a Douglas incandescent kerosene burner, and a second time in 1923 to an intensity of 357,000 cd.
A Mercury bearings were installed in 1926 and the characteristic changed to a flash every 7.5s
In 1969 the light was electrified, with a diesel generator
supplying the power, and the light intensity was raised to 1,000,000 cd. Four panels from Green Cape Lighthouse
were fitted, changing the characteristic to one flash every 4.5s.
ed 12 V quartz halogen lamps radiating two beams of 120,000 cd, and a total power consumption of 75 W.
The original Fresnel lens was packed prism by prism in individual cases surrounded by expanding foam and sent to Sydney
for storage. After public volunteering and fund collection for constructing a proper display, the lens was officially transferred back in 10 August 1990 to be displayed in the Lighthouse Museum at Narooma (36.2165°S 150.1275°E), where the lens and mechanism are currently displayed in a 5 metres (16.4 ft) tower. Visitors can coin-operate the display.
There are at least two one-story lighthouse keeper
's houses.
. The site is managed by the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water as part of the Montague Island Nature Reserve.
Lighthouse
A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire, and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways....
on Montague Island, an island 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) offshore from Narooma on the south coast of New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The lighthouse is located at the highest point of the island.
History
The building of a "First Order Fixed and Flashing Light" was first decided 1873, with finance approved in 1877 and tenders called in October 1878. The lighthouse is one of many designed by James BarnetJames Barnet
James Johnstone Barnet was the Colonial Architect for New South Wales from 1862 - 1890.-Life and career:Barnet was born at Almericlose, Arbroath, Scotland. The son of a builder, he was educated at the local high school...
along the New South Wales coast.
The original constructor did not complete the construction due to finance problems. Problems started with an unauthorized blasting by the contractor that damaged the granite boulder selected as base. As a result, the tower was repositioned several feet. After more difficulties and delay the contractor gave up the contract. In 1880 a temporary light was set up, and a new tender was given, with construction completing a year later in October 1881, 4 months early. The official lighting was on 1 November 1881. The light characteristic was a steady flare for 30s, then an eclipse for 13s, then a flash for 4s, then another eclipse of 13s, a total cycle of one minute. The power source was oil, though some reports say kerosene
Kerosene
Kerosene, sometimes spelled kerosine in scientific and industrial usage, also known as paraffin or paraffin oil in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Ireland and South Africa, is a combustible hydrocarbon liquid. The name is derived from Greek keros...
, and the light intensity was 45,000 cd.
The light was upgraded once in 1910 to an intensity of 250,000 cd, with the installation of a Douglas incandescent kerosene burner, and a second time in 1923 to an intensity of 357,000 cd.
A Mercury bearings were installed in 1926 and the characteristic changed to a flash every 7.5s
In 1969 the light was electrified, with a diesel generator
Diesel generator
A diesel generator is the combination of a diesel engine with an electrical generator to generate electrical energy....
supplying the power, and the light intensity was raised to 1,000,000 cd. Four panels from Green Cape Lighthouse
Green Cape Lighthouse
The Green Cape Lighthouse is a lighthouse located at the tip of Green Cape, a headland forming the northern boundary of Disaster Bay, in southern New South Wales, Australia. It is the southernmost lighthouse in New South Wales and Australia's first lighthouse built in concrete. At it is also the...
were fitted, changing the characteristic to one flash every 4.5s.
Original lens - current display
The original lens was last used on November 9, 1986. It was replaced with an array of lightweight solar powerSolar power
Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar radiation, along with secondary solar-powered resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass, account for most of the available...
ed 12 V quartz halogen lamps radiating two beams of 120,000 cd, and a total power consumption of 75 W.
The original Fresnel lens was packed prism by prism in individual cases surrounded by expanding foam and sent to Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
for storage. After public volunteering and fund collection for constructing a proper display, the lens was officially transferred back in 10 August 1990 to be displayed in the Lighthouse Museum at Narooma (36.2165°S 150.1275°E), where the lens and mechanism are currently displayed in a 5 metres (16.4 ft) tower. Visitors can coin-operate the display.
Light keepers
| Name | Rank | Years |
|---|---|---|
| John Burgess | Head | 1881–1898 |
| Charles Townsend | Assistant | | 1894 |
| Jock Cameron | Assistant | 1920–1923 |
| Head | 1933–1935 | |
| Tom Paddon | Assistant | 1932–1934 |
| Albert Cottee | ?? | 1942 - ? |
| Jack Carmody | Head | 1960–1967 |
| Bruce Conley | Head | 1973–1980 |
| John Short | Head | ? - 1986 |
Construction
The tower is constructed from interlocking granite blocks which were quarried on the island. It is fitted with a bronze handrail.There are at least two one-story lighthouse keeper
Lighthouse keeper
A lighthouse keeper is the person responsible for tending and caring for a lighthouse, particularly the light and lens in the days when oil lamps and clockwork mechanisms were used. Keepers were needed to trim the wicks, replenish fuel, wind clockworks and perform maintenance tasks such as cleaning...
's houses.
Site operation
The light is operated by the Australian Maritime Safety AuthorityAustralian Maritime Safety Authority
Australian Maritime Safety Authority is responsible, on behalf of the Commonwealth Government of Australia, for the regulation and safety oversight of Australia's shipping fleet and management of Australia's international maritime obligations...
. The site is managed by the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water as part of the Montague Island Nature Reserve.
Visiting
Access to the island is restricted. Access is available only through guided tours from Narooma, and reservations is required. Overnight stays for up to 11 people are available at the keeper's house.See also
- List of lighthouses and lightvessels in Australia