Maatsuyker Island  Lighthouse

At Maatsuyker Island Lighthouse, Australia’s most southerly lighthouse, conditions are extreme with the constant buffeting of the Roaring Forties coming off the Southern Ocean.

History

This light is unique as it is Australia’s most southerly lighthouse.

It is on Maatsuyker Island, 10 kilometres off the southern most coast of Tasmania, and is lashed by the unobstructed force of the Roaring Forties coming across the Southern Ocean from as far away as Africa. The Lighthouse is situated on southern tip of island for best visibility and all round view.

Alternate sites that were considered were the Mewstone and South West Capes. Maatsuyker was selected in 1888 by Hobart engineer, Meech.

Completed in 1891, the tower is also unusual in that it was built with a with red brick cavity wall. The tower was rendered and painted white.

The original light assembly (prism, clockwork, astragal and copper dome) were bought from Chance Brothers of Birmingham.

All the materials were brought from Hobart and hauled up a steep horse powered tramway at Haulage Cove, on the relatively sheltered east side of the island. Haulage Cove is the only place where a safe landing may be made on the island, and even this is subject to weather conditions.

The tower has three internal floors made of Mintaro (SA) slate. The uppermost floor (11 cm thick), which is reached by a wrought-iron staircase, supports the prisms and the lens-clock mechanism. The weight of the light gear exceeds two tonnes.

The National Film & Sound Archive has a short movie of the island from 1949

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Weather observations have been continuously maintained from the light since 1891.

The control of the light passed to the Commonwealth in 1917.

The original 6 wick oil light source was upgraded to kerosene and mantle in 1924

This sufficed until 1976 when 3 diesel generators and a 1000 watt electric light were installed. As part of the modernisation, the clockwork mechanism was replaced by an electric motor, however the mechanical components were left in place.

At this time the staff was reduced from 3 keepers to 2 keepers. The “continuous watch” system was replaced by a “non-watch” roster.

The “non-watch” system allowed the keepers to sleep at night (apart from making 3-hourly weather observations). An alarm system monitored the light.

Comments from fisherman at the time of the changeover from kerosene to electric illumination said that the “loom” from the kerosene light penetrated mist and haze better than the electric light.

The light was replaced, in 1996 with a fully automated, smaller, solar powered light further up the hill with the intention of demanning. Pressure of having a light operating in such an isolated position under extreme conditions had kept the light manned much longer than its counterparts on the mainland.

To quote Jeff Jennings “Part of the problem is that most ships these days carry sophisticated electronic navigation equipment which allows them to plot their position accurately even in bad weather. Unfortunately this equipment can’t physically rescue you!”

As with most isolated lighthouse the keepers had to assist survivors of wrecks at sea. In 1907 the “Alfhild”, a Swedish Barque was wrecked and the six survivors under great difficulty made their way to the island. Here they were cared for until the supply ship could pick them up.

Early communication in events such as illness or shipwreck was by carrier pigeon to Hobart. The attrition rate was so high that in a serious emergency at least 3 birds would be dispatched in the hope that at least one of them would make it. The birds would take 3 hours to reach Hobart with their owners receiving a fee for each message received

The lighthouse was originally supplied via the jetty and tramway at Haulage Cove. The jetty was replaced several times after being demolished by storms and heavy seas. Hobart-based fishing boats were contracted to provide a fortnightly mail and supplies service.

Since the mid 1970’s the supplies have been brought in by helicopter and the jetty has since crumbled.

The island has an average of 250 rain days each year, with an annual average rainfall of 1.2 metres. It is interesting to note a comment in the keepers log book from 1907 stating “Five days continuously without rain this month”.

There is a constant gale with winds averaging 50-60 knots and the highest recorded speed is 112 knots. Opinion has it that it has been much higher, however the recording equipment did not survive the storm to substantiate the claim!

The dome of the lantern room is pocked with dents from hail as big as golf balls attesting to the ferocity of some storms.

When the light was opened in 1891 a party of 30 dignitaries arrived by boat from Hobart and were greeted by a placid sea. An unusual event considering the island’s reputation!

It is interesting to note that Aborigines for hundreds of years made this treacherous crossing, from the mainland to the island, to hunt seals and muttons birds in nothing more than canoes made of tea-tree.