Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse
On the most Southern Westerly tip of Australia, where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet, stands Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse as a solitary sentinel.
It was totally manually operated until 1982 by a clockwork mechanism & kero burner, one of the last in the world.
History
Built from 1895 to 1896 the tower and cottages are built of local limestone.
The Cape Leeuwin Light was first mooted in 1881, but took 15 years to eventuate.
Disputes raged over the best site for the lighthouse. Also, until the Kalgoorlie-Coolgardie gold rushes Western Australia was the poorest State, and with no assistance from the Eastern States, it was unable to proceed with a project of this size.
Further delays occurred when it was found the the initial test bores that showed bedrock at 2.5 metres had only found a rock shelf and it was then necessary to excavate to 6.7 metres.
continued below …
Image: Garry Searle
Image: Garry Searle
Image: Garry Searle
Image: Garry Searle
Image: Garry Searle
Image: Garry Searle
Image: Garry Searle
© All images are copyright of their respective photographers and are not to be used without permission.
Cape Leeuwin
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Breaksea Island
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Cave Point
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Eclipse Island
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Cape Naturaliste
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Casuarina Point
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Arthur Head
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South Mole
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North Mole
North Mole
North Mole
Woodman Point
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Wadjemup (Rottnest)
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Bathurst Point
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Guilderton
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Escape Island
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Pelsaert Island
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Point Moore
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Bluff Point
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Cape Inscription
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Go to Cape Inscription
Babbage Island
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Point Quobba
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Point Cloates
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Vlaming Head
Got to Vlaming Head
Jarman Island
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Gantheaume Point
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Cape Bossut
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Cape Leveque
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Go to Cape Leveque
Caffarelli Island
Go to Caffarelli Island
continued from above …
The original 1895 plan included two lights. The present high white light tower and in front of it, a low red light tower. Although the foundations for this low tower were completed, the structure was never built because it was considered that a second light would cause confusion and draw ships closer to the Cape.
Almost as famous is the waterwheel and wooden flume constructed to bring fresh spring water to the lighthouse from a distance away.
It has been calcified by the minerals and salts reminiscent of a limestone area known for its huge caves.
The original light source was kerosene wick lamp, then the world’s largest, revolving in mercury bath.
This light had an intensity of 250,000 candelas and was visible for 40km.
In 1925, the light was upgraded to vapourised kerosene with a mantle, giving a light intensity of 780,000 candelas.
In 1955, a radio beacon was installed.羚nt>
The light was totally manually operated until 1982 when it was converted to electricity replacing the clockwork mechanism & kero burner, one of the last in the world. The new 1,000 watt halogen lamp increased the candelas to 1,000,000.
This light was automated in September 1992.
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 | 1896 |
| Architect | |
| Status | Active |
| Location | Lat: 34° 22.4900’ S Long: 115° 08.1800’ E |
| Current Optic | Chance Bros. 920 mm focal radius |
| Automated | |
| Demanned | |
| Construction | White round masonary tower with white Chance Bros. 12'0''dia. lantern with curved glazings |
| Height | 39 m |
| Elevation | 56 m |
| Range | Nominal: 26 nm Geographical: 20 nm |
| Character | Fl. W. 7.5 secs |
| Intensity | 1,000,000 cd |
| Light Source | 120V, 1000W TH 3000hr |
| Power Source | 240V AC |
| Operator | AMSA |
| Notes | As at Sept 2015 |
NB: Information is historical data and is not for navigational purposes.
Access
The tower is not open to the public.
Site Access
The lighthouse grounds are open all year round.
Tours
No tours are available.
Accommodation
No lighthouse accommodation is available
Museum
Detail to come.
Friends Group
There is no Friends Group
Associated Lighthouse
Detail to come.
Links
Detail to come.
Sources
- Detail to come
