Galle Lighthouse
 Galle Lighthouse | |
| Location | Galle Fort, Galle, Sri Lanka |
|---|---|
| Year first constructed | 1939 |
| Year first lit | 1939 |
| Automated | Yes |
| Construction | Cast iron |
| Tower shape | Round tower |
| Markings / pattern | White |
| Height | 26.5 m |
| Range | 47 m |
| Characteristic | two white flashes every 15 s |
| Admiralty number | F0830 |
| NGA number | 27284 |
| ARLHS number | SLI-0018 |
Galle Lighthouse (also known as Pointe de Galle Light)[1] is an onshore Lighthouse in Galle, Sri Lanka and is operated and maintained by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.[2]
This is Sri Lanka's oldest light station[3] dating back to 1848,[1] but the original 24.5 metres (80 ft) high lighthouse built by the British[4] was located about 100 metres (330 ft) from the current site, however it was destroyed by fire in 1934.[1][3] The existing 26.5 metres (87 ft) high light house was erected here in 1939.[1][3] The original light was furnished with a glass prism lens floating in a bath of mercury (to reduce friction) and was powered by a weight driven machine.[5]
The light station is within the walls of the ancient Galle Fort, a UNESCO world heritage site and well known tourist attraction.[3] The lighthouse is strategically located at the southern end of the promontory, built approximately 6 metres (20 ft) above the road level on the ramparts, at what is known as the Point Utrecht Bastion, giving it full view of any ships entering Galle Harbour.
See also
External links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Galle Light". Lighthouse Explorer. Foghorn Publishing. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
- ↑ "List of Lighthouses in Sri Lanka". The Team Traveller. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Rowlett, Russ (13 February 2006). "Lighthouses of Sri Lanka". University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
- ↑ Sailing Directions for the West Coast of India - Issue 159. United States Hydrographic Office. 1920. p. 167.
- ↑ Sorila, Eero (2012). Lighthouses Big and Small. Xlibris Corporation. p. 28. ISBN 978-1-4691-8037-3.