Breaksea Island Lighthouse
Breaksea Island Lighthouse
LocationBreaksea Island, Western Australia, Australia
Coordinates35°03′48″S 118°03′16″E / 35.06329°S 118.05447°E / -35.06329; 118.05447
Tower
Constructed1858 Edit this on Wikidata
Constructionstone (tower) Edit this on Wikidata
Height16 m (52 ft) Edit this on Wikidata
Shapecylinder (tower) Edit this on Wikidata
Markingsunpainted (tower), white (lantern) Edit this on Wikidata
Power sourcesolar power Edit this on Wikidata
OperatorAustralian Maritime Safety Authority Edit this on Wikidata
HeritageState Registered Place Edit this on Wikidata
Light
First lit1901 Edit this on Wikidata
Focal height119 m (390 ft) Edit this on Wikidata
Range13 nmi (24 km; 15 mi) Edit this on Wikidata
CharacteristicFl(2) W 6s Edit this on Wikidata
TypeState Registered Place
Designated22 January 2002
Reference no.3353

Breaksea Island Lighthouse is an active lighthouse located at Breaksea Island in King George Sound 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from Albany.[1]

The first lighthouse was built in 1858 by English convicts using pre-made cast iron sheeting rising it at the centre of an octagonal stone keeper's cottage;[2] in 1889 two keeper's cottages were built. This lighthouse was replaced in 1901 by a cylindrical granite tower built on the rear still active and in good condition.

A major refurbishment taking 21 weeks was undertaken in early 2020, under a contract from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).[3]

Keepers

William Hill (1812-1864) was an Enrolled Pensioner Guard living in Albany. He was the lighthouse keeper from August 1860 until 23 March 1864 when he had a mental breakdown and is believed to have jumped into the sea.

Robert Wilkinson Howe (1862 - 1943) became the keeper in 1906 having previously been stationed at Cape Leeuwin. His wife Hannah and daughter Faye lived with him on the island and his wife died in 1914. His daughter then looked after her father and she left the island in 1916.

See also

References

  1. Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Australia: Western Australia". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  2. "Aust. guide - Breaksea Island Albany". 2002. Archived from the original on 13 September 2007. Retrieved 20 September 2007.
  3. The challenge of maintaining lighthouses, still important in a modern world, Ellie Honeybone and Tom Edwards, ABC News Online, 2020-02-10


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