Sea Hill Light

Sea Hill Light
The Little Sea Hill Lighthouse in Gladstone Maritime Museum
Location Curtis Island, Queensland, Australia
Coordinates
Year first constructed 1873[1] or 1876[2]
Deactivated 2006
Admiralty number K3000
NGA number 111-10320
ARLHS number AUS-196

Sea Hill Light, also known as Sea Hill Point Light[3] Little Sea Hill Light[4], was a lighthouse on the northwest point of Curtis Island, Queensland, Australia. Its purpose was to mark the east side of the entrance to Keppel Bay,[2] on passage to Fitzroy River and Port Alma.[1] The first lighthouse at the locations was constructed in 1873 or 1876, moved in the 1920s, and is now on display at the Gladstone Maritime Museum. A second lighthouse was constructed in 1895, deactivated in 2006 and demolished in early 2009.[2]

Contents

History

First lighthouse

The first lighthouse, constructed in 1873[1] or 1876,[2][4] was the first in Queensland of its design, made of a hardwood frame clad with corrugated iron. This design was then used in seven more lighthouses, by order of establishment, Grassy Hill Light, Goods Island Light, Bay Rock Light, Old Caloundra Light, North Point Hummock Light (demolished), Gatcombe Head Light (demolished) and Bulwer Island Light.[4] With the installation of the second lighthouse in 1895 it became the front light in the range.[5] In the 1920s, the lighthouse was relocated to Station Point, about 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) northeast. It stood there until it was deactivated in the 1960s and then sold into private hands. It is currently on display at the Gladstone Maritime Museum at .[2]

The lighthouse is rather short, only 20 feet (6.1 m) in height. Unlike the other seven Queensland lighthouse towers of the corrugated iron clad type, it is hexagonal in plan, rather than round. A gallery and a lantern top the tower, and much like other Queensland lighthouses, it is painted white with a red dome.[2]

Second lighthouse

The second lighthouse was constructed in 1895 and for a while served as the rear light in the range.[5] It was a 12-metre-high (39 ft),[6] timber framed zinc-annealed,[3] corrugated iron clad tower, with a lantern and a gallery. A pilot station was originally located at the premises, and was closed in 1963.[2] As of 1975 the light source was an open flame acetylene gas burner.[3] In 2006 the lighthouse was deactivated,[7] and in early 2009 it was apparently demolished.[2]

The station was not completely abandoned. The 2010 List of Lights lists a light at the location, 7-foot-high (2.1 m) with a focal plane of 39 feet (12 m), displaying a light characteristic of two white flashes every six seconds (Fl.(2)W. 6s).[8] This is most likely a new fiberglass beacon.[2]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c Plaque.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Rowlett.
  3. ^ a b c AHD101513.
  4. ^ a b c CHIMS31351.
  5. ^ a b Davenport 1986.
  6. ^ AHD101513. Rowlett states "around 43 feet (13 m)".
  7. ^ Rowlett. AHD101513 states it was deactivated "16-8-75".
  8. ^ List of Lights

References