Laura's Lighthouses

The Troubridge Island Lighthouse in on the Investigator Strait between Kangaroo Island and the Yorke Peninsula. This lighthouse was needed as there were between 33 and 100 shipwrecks and groundings this area. In 1850, there were seven vessels that ran aground in an eight-month period. This lighthouse, built in 1855, was South Australia’s second lighthouse. It was constructed of cylindrical cast iron segments that was shipped out from the UK and bolted together on the island. The keepers cottages were completed in 1856. In 1889, the light was upgraded to a fixed red light. Between 1925 and 1931, electricity was provided by a petrol generator. In 1956, the light was again upgraded that increased the range from 10 Nautical Miles to 25. In this same year, the light was repainted bright red with a white horizontal band as its daymark. In the late 1970’s, it was decided to build the Troubridge Hill Lighthouse. The Island Lighthouse was downgraded, automated and demanned, with the new light. The light was extinguished in March 2002 and replaced by a beacon at Marion Reef. Also in March 2002, Troubridge Island Lighthouse was given the honor of being on a postage stamp. In 1802, the island was a sandbar on a limestone reef, and by 1838, it was a small inlet that was 600 meters (1,969 feet) long by 300 meters (984 feet) wide. Although it is now 800 meters (2,625 feet) long by 400 meters (1,312 feet) wide, it is erosion that is threatening the lighthouse now, as the edge of the island is currently right up the base of the lighthouse. The lighthouse has withstood an earthquake in 1902 which caused a fire to destroy the lantern room and damaged the foundations. The lantern room was repaired at this time for immediate service, but it was not until 1904 that the tower foundations and cottages were repaired. Because of the land erosion, there are no tours of the lighthouse or the island. This light flashes every 10 seconds, red and white. The red is visible for 7 Nautical Miles, while the white is seen for 10 Nautical Miles. It is 25 meters (82 feet) above sea level and is 24 meters (79 feet) tall.



The Troubridge Hill Lighthouse was built in 1980 to replace the Troubridge Island Lighthouse. This lighthouse is unique in that is was built from special wedge shaped clay bricks and has never been rendered or painted and the lantern room is fabricated fiberglass. Because of the wedge shaped bricks, this lighthouse is earthquake proof and was built to resist high winds. This light was built to be automatic and unmanned as the original apparatus was an array of sealed beam lanterns (like car headlights) that turned. However, this was expensive, so they were replace with a rotating lens and electric lantern. This lighthouse flashes twice in 15 seconds. It is 62 meters (203 feet) in elevation, is 32 meters (105 feet) tall and is visible for 22 Nautical Miles.



There was a big storm coming in and as I was leaving the lighthouse, the rain came.



But then it cleared up later as I was wandering around Innes National Park. In this park, I knew about 3 lighthouses, but there is actually 5!! Of the 3, I thought I could only see 2, but in fact I could see 4. Anyway, since this is a national park, there were signs all over telling drivers to watch out for emus, kangaroos and osprey. It was so weird, but I did see wild emus grazing and even 3 kangaroos hopping across the road! And one or two osprey in the air. It was great!



Here I saw Althorpe Island Lighthouse (in the distance on the island) and Cape Spencer Lighthouse. Built in 1879, the lighthouse on Althorpe Island was kept working by dedicated lighthouse keepers for 112 years until 1991 when it became automated. Lighthouse keepers brought goats, cats, sheep, wallabies and even a horse to the island, along with introduced weeds. To protect the native plants and animals, the island became a conservation park in 1972. (1972!!) Since then, volunteers and park staff have been removing the feral plant and animals from the island. Some of the volunteers even manned the lighthouse before it was automated. The island in 91.5 hectares in area, 1.6 km (0.99 miles) from North to South, 1.2km (0.75 miles) wide and is 91 meters (299 feet) above sea level. (Port Lincoln is 32 Nautical Miles further west - but it took me a full day to drive to Port Lincoln!!) The construction was begun in 1877, but it was not until February 14, 1879 that the light was lit and the 3 keepers cottages were finished. The lighthouse was built of limestone and hard sandstone found on the island. The spiral staircase was constructed of solid bricks of sandstone. The keepers cottages were also made from the hard and limestone found on the island. Although the lighthouse was in place, six shipwrecks were noted between 1877 and 1982. This lighthouse was originally powered by oil followed by acetylene gas and then converted to electric in 1963. It was finally converted to solar in 1991. Althorpe Island Lighthouse is 107 meters (351 feet) above sea level, is 20 meters (66 feet) tall and is visible for 24 Nautical Miles. It flashes for 0.1 second every 7 seconds.



The Cape Spencer Lighthouse was originally placed in Innes National Park in 1950 as an automatic light that was similar to a metal box with a river-style light on top. Then in 1970 it was upgraded to the current concrete lighthouse. This 1970’s lighthouse also replaced Althorpe Island Lighthouse. This light flashes three times every 15 seconds. It is 78 meters (259 feet) above sea level, is only 9 meters (30 feet tall) and can be seen for 23 Nautical Miles.

Cape Spencer and Althorpe Island


I had written on my trip planner that I couldn’t see West Cape Lighthouse, but since I was there, I drove to the area just in case. And wouldn’t you know it, I COULD see it!! It is very shiny!! It is called Simplex Munditiis which means “Elegant Simplicity” in Latin. It was built using stainless steel to minimise environmental impact during construction. This one was built in 1980! It is 8.5 meters (28 feet) tall.





Pondalowie Bay Lightouse

And from here, I could see Wedge Island, but not the lighthouse on it as it’s too far away, and Pondalowie Bay Lighthouse, which is on South Island. The lighthouse on Wedge Island is only 5 meters tall, but is the highest above sea level in Australia at 206 meters. It was built in 1911. The Royal Australian Air Force installed a radar station on Wedge Island during World War II. Up to 50 men lived there, watching for enemy ships.

And the last thing I saw in Innes National Park was a funny little island called Chinaman’s Hat. I’m not exactly sure where the name came from, but if you squint your eyes and turn your head, you might be able to see a Chinaman’s Hat!!!!



After leaving Innes National Park, I drove to Corny Point and found the lighthouse there. I took the long winding road to the lighthouse along a long dirt road that ran along the coast. It was so pretty with the sun breaking through the clouds and the ocean and fields. Then there was Corny Point Lighthouse, of course.



The Corny Point Lighthouse was first lit on 1st of March 1882. It was attended by light keepers until 1920 when the light was converted to automatic acetylene and in 1978 converted to electrical operation. The range of the light is 35km (19 Nautical Miles). This lighthouse is located on the northernmost point of the foot of the Yorke Peninsula. It was originally built to protect the grain ships entering Port Victoria, Moonta Bay and Wallaroo in the Spencer Gulf. It’s other purpose was to protect the southbound windjammers that were endangered by sou-westers which could bring them in on the Web Rock or onto the reefs and shoals of Berry Bay and Daly Head. There were two sites chosen for the lighthouse, one on top of the hill and the other on a rise closer to the sea. The second site was chosen although it was less stable. Because of this, a large concrete base was constructed. The tower was built from local limestone. There were two keepers cottages built from local stone as well. The original light was a twin wick burner which used mineral oil. It was automated in 1920 and the keepers cottages and stores were demolished. A 240 volt mains powers was connected in 1978 to increase the power, but it was so powerful that it caused problems with reflection of white light over Web Rock and the red screen had to be adjusted again. The first time this problem occurred was with the first light keeper, when he noticed the lighthouse was not in proper working order. The white light was shining over Web Rock causing a shipping hazard. J. Dagweill, the first light keeper, placed a canvas screen so it covered the reef side and this seemed to help. This lighthouse is 30 meters (16 feet) above sea level, is visible for 19 Nautical Miles and is 16 meters (8.6 feet) tall. The light flashes four times in 20 seconds.
There are some interesting notes from the keepers log - 27th August 1888 - At 3.30 a.m. observed a most brilliant meteor to northward about 45 deg above the horizon like a fiery globe falling to within about 25 deg of the sea apparently exploding. Having a tail of light like a comet. The whole display lasting about 10 seconds and lighting up the whole district.





It was blowing a gale here and it was so cold with the rain starting again, so I hopped back in the car and drove to Wallaroo where I saw the lighthouse that was removed to the maritime museum. This one is the Tipara Reef Lighthouse. This lighthouse was necessary because Tipara Reef was hazardous to ships as it was only one meter of water in some areas. At first there was a lightship here, but it was unsuitable. Since Wallarroo and Moonta were so important as trade ports, the government agreed to place a lighthouse here in 1872. It was completed in 1877. Originally, the lighthouse was erected on screw piles driven three meters into the reef. A platform was constructed and a wrought iron tower was placed on top. It had two decks and was over 30 meters (98 feet) above sea level. The main deck had a watch room, keepers quarters, kitchen, workshops and water tanks. According to a sign near the museum in Wallarroo, The lighthouse is entrusted to four keepers three of who are always on duty at the light, while a fourth resides at Moonta Bay to keep up a shore watch and private means of communication and supply with the mainland. The shore watch is not, however, a monopoly, each keeper in turn taking one month’s land duty to three months in the lighthouse. Supplies and correspondence are bought from Moonta Bay once a week by the keeper on shore duty in a fine sailing boat which forms part of the equipment of the lighthouse, and a dingey is also provide in which the keepers can take short marine excursions for the purpose of varying their regulation fare with a fish diet. South Australain Register, 5 January 1884. The original lighthouse optics consisted of a single white flashing light but a red section was added in 1917. In 1920, the lighthouse was de-manned and the oil-fuelled lantern was replaced by an automatic light. In 1968, all of the original accommodations and associated fittings were removed. The light section was removed from the pylons in 1955 and relocated to this site (the museum.)



And then I drove to Kadina where I’m spending the night. It sure is cold here on the ocean, but today is the last day of fall, so I guess it’s to be expected!! But 8 lighthouses in one day is pretty darn good!!!