Breaksea Island Lighthouse
The first tower on Breaksea Island was commenced in May 1857 by Royal Engineers under Capt. Wray. The cost was borne by the Imperial Government with all materials sent from England.
History
Made to a design by the Colonial Lighthouse Engineer at the Board of Trade in London, the 13.1m high octagonal cast-iron tower was imported from England and assembled on Breaksea Island at the entrance to King George’s Sound by convicts in 1858.
The lighthouse was lit by a 2nd order catadioptric light with oil burners and was placed 116.7m asl and was visible for 9 leagues (27 NM). The island was connected to Albany by telephone in 1885.
The current tower in rough dressed stone and standing 7.3m tall was built in 1901 and was given a Chance Brothers 1st order fixed lens housed inside a massive 14′ (4.3m) lantern. The contract price for the tower was £2700. In 1915 the lens was valued at £3251.
Manning ceased in 1926 and the light became lit by acetylene gas. Gas cylinders were pulled by seamen harnessed to a cart and later by jeep. In 1984 it was converted to Solar power.
Lighthouses on the Western Australian Coast and Off-Shore Islands
1995 Author/s D.A. Cumming, M. Glasson and M. McCarthy
http://museum.wa.gov.au/maritime-archaeology-db/maritime-reports/lighthouses-western-australian-coast-and-shore-islands
http://museum.wa.gov.au/maritime-archaeology-db/sites/default/files/no._100_lighthouses_on_wa_coast_0.pdf
© All images are copyright of their respective photographers and are not to be used without permission.
Cape Leeuwin
Breaksea Island
Cave Point
Eclipse Island
Cape Naturaliste
Casuarina Point
Arthur Head
South Mole
North Mole
Woodman Point
Wadjemup (Rottnest)
Bathurst Point
Guilderton
Escape Island
Pelsaert Island
Point Moore
Bluff Point
Cape Inscription
Babbage Island
Point Quobba
Point Cloates
Vlaming Head
Jarman Island
Gantheaume Point
Cape Bossut
Cape Leveque
Caffarelli Island
Keepers
We need your help in compiling a list of keepers for this lighthouse. If you have any information then send it to keeper@lighthouses.org.au.
Please include this lighthouse’s name, the keepers full name and what years they were keepers. Also include the same information for any other lights they were on.
Technical Details
| First Exhibited | 1858 |
| CurrentTower | 1902 |
| Architect | |
| Status | Active |
| Location | Lat: 35° 03.8680' S Long: 118° 03.4510' E |
| Original Optic | |
| Current Optic | Chance 920 mm f.r. with 160° vertically de-centred dioptric mirror |
| Automated | |
| Demanned | 1926 |
| Construction | Grey stone tower and white Chance 14′ diameter lantern |
| Height | 16 m |
| Elevation | 119 m |
| Range | Nominal: 13 nm Geographical: 27 nm |
| Character | Fl. W. (2) in 6 secs |
| Intensity | 5,900 cd |
| Light Source | 12V 35W C8 Halogen |
| Power Source | Solar Conv'n: Nov 1984 |
| Operator | AMSA |
| Notes | As at Sept 2015 |
NB: Information is historical data and is not for navigational purposes.
Access
The lighthouse grounds are open all year round. The tower is not open to the public. The island could be accessed by boat or helicopter.
Tours
No tours are available.
Accommodation
No lighthouse accommodation is available
Museum
Links
Nil
Sources
Lighthouses on the Western Australian Coast and Off-Shore Islands
1995 Author/s D.A. Cumming, M. Glasson and M. McCarthy 