Grönskär

Grönskär
Location Grönskär, Stockholm archipelago, Sweden
Coordinates 59°17′N 19°01′E / 59.283°N 19.017°ECoordinates: 59°17′N 19°01′E / 59.283°N 19.017°E
Year first constructed 1770
Year first lit 1770
Automated Never
Deactivated 1961, reactivated 2000
Construction Granite stone, Sandstone
Tower shape Conical base, octagonal tower with off center lantern
Markings / pattern Brownish and grey, unpainted
Height 18 metres (59 ft)
Focal height 33 metres (108 ft)
Original lens Open coal fire, 3rd order Fresnel lens (1845-1961)
Current lens None, Diode light in use
Range 4 nautical miles (7 km; 5 mi)
Characteristic Green light
Admiralty number C6468-5
NGA number 9070
ARLHS number SWE-157

Grönskär (eng: The Green skerry) is a Swedish island and lighthouse station located in the south Stockholm archipelago, east of Sandhamn. The island is rocky and the nature sparse. The herb cloudberry has been found on the island. The whole island is owned by the Swedish foundation "Skärgårdsstiftelsen" (eng: The Archipelago foundation).[1] since 1964. The foundation also owns the lighthouse since 1984.

The Grönskär lighthouse construction started in 1769. Sketchings were made by the architect Carl Adelcrantz. The tower replaced a day beacon that was built 1725, and destroyed in a storm in 1768. The light was an open coal fire. The tower was enhanced in 1786 and has remained in that shape since. In 1845, a colza oil lamp and Fresnel lens was installed. In 1873 the light was updated with a kerosene lamp. This light station was never automated or electrified and was closed down in favor of the modern lighthouse Revengegrundet 1961. That light is placed in open water and can be seen from Grönskär. The original lens was taken away in 1963. In September 2000 the lighthouse was reactivated with modern equipment powered with sun panels. It shows a green faint color, since the word "grön" means green in Swedish. It was chosen as it was a good fit to the island's name.

The island and lighthouse

References

  1. The Archipelago foundation