| Location | Vancouver Island, British Columbia |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | |
| Year first constructed | 1859–1860 |
| Year first lit | 26 December 1860 |
| Tower shape | Cylindrical |
| Markings / pattern | Tower with black & white bands, lantern painted red |
| Height | 24.4 m |
| Focal height | 36 m |
| Characteristic | Fl. 10 s |
| Fog signal | (3) 60 s |
| Admiralty number | G5300 |
| NGA number | 13760 |
| ARLHS number | CAN-426 |
Race Rocks Light is one of two lighthouses that were built on the west coast of Canada, financed by the British Government and illuminated in 1860. It is the only lighthouse on that coast built of rock, (granite) purportedly quarried in Scotland, and topped with sandstone quarried on Gabriola Island. The Islands of Race Rocks are located just off the southern tip of Vancouver Island, about 16 km southwest of Victoria, British Columbia.
The lighthouse was built between 1859–1860 by the crew of HMS Topaze and outside labourers under a contract awarded to John Morris by the British Government.[1]. It was illuminated on 26 December 1860, six weeks after the smaller Fisgard Island lighthouse built at the entrance to Esquimalt Harbour near Victoria. In 2010, both lighthouses celebrated their sesquicentennial.
It has a 24.4 m cylindrical tower with black and white bands, and flashes a white light every 10 seconds. Its foghorn sounds three blasts at one minute intervals.[2] On Christmas Day 1865 a group of five visiting the lightkeeper capsized their boat in a tide rip while attempting to land and all were drowned.
The lighthouse has been automated since 1997 at which time Lester B. Pearson College took over the management of the station and the surrounding Race Rocks Marine Protected Area. Restoration of the interior and exterior of the historic light tower was carried out in 2009.[3]
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