Laitakari daybeacon

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A distant view to Laitakari and the daybeacon.
A distant view to Laitakari and the daybeacon.
A small-scale replica of Laitakari daybeacon in Pitkäkangas, Oulunsalo.
A small-scale replica of Laitakari daybeacon in Pitkäkangas, Oulunsalo.

Laitakari daybeacon is a daymark tower located on the island of Laitakari in the Gulf of Bothnia. The island is located east-northeast of Hailuoto and is within the municipal boundaries of the City of Oulu. There has been a navigational aid on the island since 1750s, and a daymark tower has been marked on a chart dated in 1785.

The current Laitakari daybeacon was built in 1851. The top of the tower is built of wooden boards and painted red. The top structure is resting on top of supporting wooden beams wedged in to the gravel. The structure survived the Crimean War, and is still being used as a navigational aid. When aligned with the Oulu Cathedral belltower, it guides small vessels to the fairway leading past the northern coastline of Hailuoto island.

The tower is 17,4 meters (57 feet) high from sea level and 15,6 meters (51 feet) from the ground.

[edit] Sources

  • Laurell, Seppo (1999). "Laitakari", Suomen majakat – Finnish Lighthouses. Merenkulkulaitos (Finnish Maritime Administration), 77. ISBN 952-5180-21-2.