Şile Feneri

Şile Feneri
Location Şile, Istanbul Province, Turkey
Coordinates
Year first constructed 1859[1]
Year first lit 1860[2]
Construction Masonry
Tower shape Octagonal prism[1]
Markings / pattern White with narrow black horizontal bands[1]
Height 19 m (62 ft)[3]
Focal height 60 m (200 ft)[1]
Current lens 8x 925mm catadioptric cylindrical lenses[3]
Intensity 1,000 W
Range 20 nmi (37 km)[3]
Characteristic White flashing every 15 seconds 1.5 seconds long[1]
Admiralty number E5832[1]
NGA number 19680[1]
ARLHS number TC2SLH[4]
Turkey number TUR-046[1]

The Şile Feneri, a historical lighthouse still in use, is located on the western Black Sea coast in the northeast town Şile of Istanbul Province, Turkey.

Commissioned by the Ottoman sultan Abdülmecid I (reigned 1839-1861), it was constructed in 1859 by French engineers.[1] In 1860, the lighthouse went in service.[2]

The masonry lighthouse is built on a cliffy point at Cape Şile about 1 km (0.62 mi) northeast of the town. The 19 m (62 ft) tower with a gallery around the lantern room has the form of an octagonal prism. A masonry one-story keeper's house is attached to it. The lighthouse is painted white with narrow black horizontal bands.[1]

Initially, the lighthouse was lit by kerosene, however the light source was later replaced by Dalén light using carbide (acetylene gas). Since 1968, it runs on electricity.[5] The lighthouse's lantern has eight 925mm catadioptric cylindrical lenses and a 1,000 W light source. At a focal height of 60 m (200 ft), it flashes white every 15 seconds 1.5 seconds long, which is visible at a range of 20 nmi (37 km).[1] The flashing is achieved by eight rotating panels that are still set in motion by a weight-driven mechanism inside the tower using anchor escapement. The falling weight on the chain reaches the bottom of tower in two hours. For the operation's continuity, the lighthouse keeper has to pull it up by rewinding the chain.[3]

The lighthouse is listed in Turkey under the code "TUR-046" and its radio call sign is TC2SLH.[4] It is operated and maintained by the Coastal Safety Authority (Turkish: Kıyı Emniyeti Genel Müdürlüğü) of the Ministry of Transport and Communication.[1]

Şile Feneri is open to public visit as a historical site.[6]

150th anniversary

2010 was the 150th anniversary of the inauguration of the Şile Lighthouse. For this purpose, celebrations were held from May 25 to July 23, organized by the local municipality. The Turkish Post issued on May 1, 2010 a commemoration stamp.[2][7] On July 24, the tower got dressed up from top to down in the renowned Şile cloth, a very light coton fabric woven specially there.[8]

References