Fort Denison Light

Fort Denison Light

Fort Denison Light, 2006
New South Wales
Location Fort Denison
New South Wales
Australia
Coordinates 33°51′16.64″S 151°13′33.69″E / 33.8546222°S 151.2260250°E / -33.8546222; 151.2260250Coordinates: 33°51′16.64″S 151°13′33.69″E / 33.8546222°S 151.2260250°E / -33.8546222; 151.2260250
Year first constructed 1913
Foundation Martello Tower
Tower shape cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern
Markings / pattern white tower and black lantern
Height 20 feet (6.1 m)[1]
Focal height 61 feet (19 m)
Range 5 nautical miles (9.3 km; 5.8 mi)
Characteristic Fl (4) W 15s.
Fog signal bell, continuous[2]
Admiralty number K2666
NGA number 111-6224
ARLHS number AUS-235
Managing agent Sydney Harbour National Park

Fort Denison Light, also known as Pinchgut Light, is an active lighthouse located on top of a Martello Tower at Fort Denison, a former penal site and defensive facility occupying a small island in Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia. The island is located downstream from the Harbour Bridge near Potts Point and the Royal Botanic Gardens. The fort is also known as "Pinchgut" lending its name to the light.

Fort Denison's lantern, bell and solar panel

History

The lantern and light, built in Birmingham, England, were added on top of the Martello Tower in 1913, replacing an 8 inches (20 cm) gun. The original light source was an acetylene gas carbide lamp, and it was converted to electricity by 1926. The station also includes a tide gauge, established in the mid-19th century, navigation channel markers, and a fog bell.

Renovation

On 30 October 2003 the entire lightroom structure was removed for renovation. As the National Parks and Wildlife Service curator Stephen Thompson said an airlift was the safest way, the lantern was transported to shore by a helicopter in a sling. Renovation took place at a workshop in the nearby St Peters. The entire operation was coordinated by National Parks, the Sydney Ports corporation and Australian Defence Industries.

For the renovation the structure was disassembled, paint was removed and new steel patches were welded onto corroded areas. A replica base ring was fabricated and hot riveted into place. The surface was then painted and treated against corrosion.

On 20 May 2004 the lantern was returned by helicopter and reinstalled.

Site operation

The light is managed by the Sydney Ports corporation. The site is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service in the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water since 1992, as part of the Sydney Harbour National Park.

Visiting

The island is accessible by boat. It is open for guided tours for a fee, requiring reservation. The tower is now open to the public.

See also

References and notes

  1. ↑ According to The Lighthouse Directory. 15ft according to "SeaSide Lights".
  2. ↑ According to List of Lights and The Lighthouse Directory. Lighthouse Digest and Australia's audio and visual heritage online list a foghorn.


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