North Mole Lighthouse

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The North Mole Lighthouse, West Fremantle.
The North Mole Lighthouse, West Fremantle.

The North Mole Lighthouse began operation in 1903 at Fremantle, Western Australia. The steady red light is visible for 11 miles and indicates the western-most point of the harbour and its entrance. The lighthouse established permanent service from 1906; after the mole's foundations had settled a temporary lighting arrangement there was discharged. The light originally planned for the house was found to be too powerful and was sent to Broome for the steel lighthouse at Gantheume Point.

The lighthouse and its partner are the last remaining of their type. It has an 'indicative place' status of the Register of the National Estate and is a well known landmark to seaman visiting the port. It was designed by Charles Yelverton O'Connor, an engineer responsible for the construction of Fremantle Harbour and who advanced the proposal of the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme. The 15 m tower is made of cast iron, painted red and features classical decorations. It is located at 32°03.3′S 115°43.4′E / -32.055, 115.7233, the end of North Mole Drive. The position is a well used recreational fishing spot and a vantage point for ocean yacht racing or birdwatching.

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  • Pauline O'Brien; John O'Brien (2006-07-12). North Mole Lighthouse, Admiralty Reference # 1764 (1906 - present). Lighthouses of Western Australia. Lighthouses of Australia Inc. Retrieved on 2007-05-02. “On the way in and out of the harbour mouth on the way over to Rottnest Island, the last you pass is the red light built at the end of the North Mole which was built longer than the south mole in the first place to enable it to provide protection for the building of the south mole.”
  • Fremantle Lighthouse / North Mole. Place Details. ID: 16653. Australian Heritage Database.. Retrieved on 2007-05-02. “Nominator's Statement of Significance: This cast iron light tower, together with its southern twin, are the only remaining navigation lights of this design in this State. A welcome landmark and guiding feature to all sailors since the Mole was completed before 1900.”