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Pine Islet Light

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Pine Islet Light (original)
The original Pine Islet lighthouse, now atMackayMarina
Map
LocationMackay
Queensland
Australia
Coordinates21°06′37.8″S149°13′29.7″E/ 21.110500°S 149.224917°E/-21.110500; 149.224917
Tower
Constructed1885
Constructiontimber framecladwith galvanized iron
Height35 feet (11 m)
Shapeconical tower with double balcony and lantern
Markingswhite tower, red lantern dome
Light
Deactivated1985
Range20 nautical miles (37 km; 23 mi)

Pine Islet Light,also known asPercy Isles Light,is an activelighthouselocated at Pine Islet, a small islet belonging to thePercy Islesgroup of theNorthumberland Islands,about 130 kilometres (81 mi) southeast ofMackay,Queensland,Australia.The original lighthouse, established 1885, was active for a hundred years, until it was deactivated in 1985, by then the lastkerosenepowered lighthouse in Australia.[1]It was relocated to the Mackay Marina in 1985 and restored to full working condition, making it the last fully functional kerosene operated lighthouse in the world.[1]At the original location now stands a modernfiberglasstower.[2]

The light was first proposed in 1881 and again in 1882. Tenders were called in 1883, and the lighthouse was constructed by W. P. Clark in 1885, a typical Queensland lighthouse built of ahardwood framecladwithgalvanized ironplates. The light source and the apparatus were upgraded in 1923 and in 1934 respectively. The cottages were replaced in 1927. The station received electricity in 1950, but the light remained kerosene operated until it was decommissioned in 1985. Reconstruction of the lighthouse at Mackay, where it stands today, took from 1989 to 1995. The lighthouse is accessible to the public and tours are available.

The current lighthouse at Pine Islet is a 20 feet (6.1 m) high fiberglass tower without a lamp, which also serves as a daymark. The light source is asolar poweredVRB-25lamp. The site is not accessible to the public.

History

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A lighthouse at Pine Islet was first proposed in a report to the Queensland Parliament on 26 July 1881, by CommanderGeorge Poynter Heath,the first Portmaster of Queensland. A second proposal was made by Heath in a report on 18 August 1882.[3]Tenders were called at the end of June 1883[4]tenders were called, for the construction of lighthouse andlighthouse keepercottages, for both Pine Islet Light andDouble Island Point Light.The contract for both lightstations, for the cost of £6900, was awarded to W. P. Clark,[5]who already constructed Queensland's first lighthouse since Queensland's formation,Bustard Head Light(in 1868),[6]and who was also awarded the contract forLow Isles Lightin 1877[7]and forCape Cleveland LightandDent Island Lightin 1878.[8]

Plans of the lighthouse, drawn 1915

Construction was completed and the lighthouse was exhibited on 18 July 1885.[3]The building wasprefabricatedand constructed on the islet, built of an internal hardwood frame, clad withrivetedgalvanized iron plates imported from Britain. It originally had a timber balcony floor.[9]The original apparatus was a second-order revolving lens, having afocal lengthof 70 millimetres (2.8 in)focal length,with four fixed panels and four flash panels.[9]Its optics were eithercatadioptric[9]ordioptric.[10]The original lamp was anoil wick burnerrunning on whale or vegetable oil. A red shade was used to mark Normanby Rock, about 1.6 kilometres (0.86 nmi) to the southwest.[1]A 1909 listing lists a visibility range of 20 nautical miles (37 km; 23 mi).[10]

Pine Islet Lightstation, ca. 1935

In 1923, the light was converted to aChance Brothers55 millimetres (2.2 in)incandescent gas mantlefuelled by vapourisedkerosene.[9]In 1927 the original keepers' cottages were demolished and three timber-framed andfibroclad cottages were constructed.[1]At the same year the tower's floor was replaced with concrete.[9]In 1934 the light was again upgraded, replacing the apparatus with aclockworkdriven apparatus fromNorth Reef Light.The height of the lighthouse meant this mechanism had to be wound every two hours. The light was visible for a distance of 21 nautical miles (39 km; 24 mi).[1]In 1950 110 V electricity was installed at the islet and the cottages were electrified, but the light was not converted to electricity. A 240 V system was installed in 1965, again without converting the light. On 27 August 1985[9]the lighthouse was decommissioned, to be replaced by a modernfiberglasstower. By then it was the last kerosene power lighthouse in Australia.[1]

The tower was dismantled by theDepartment of Transport and Communicationsfrom 2 October[9]to 12 November[11]1986. In 1989, after much lobbying, the lighthouse and apparatus were loaned to the Pine Islet Lighthouse Preservation Society for reconstruction at Mackay, mainly by volunteers. Reconstruction started on 18 August 1989[9]and the lighthouse was restored to fully functional status in late 1995, making it the last operational kerosene light in the world.[1]In 2004 it was repainted by the Mackay Port Authority.[2]

Current lighthouse

[edit]
Pine Islet Light (current)
Map
LocationPercy Isles,Queensland,AustraliaEdit this at Wikidata
Coordinates21°39′26″S150°13′03″E/ 21.657111°S 150.217444°E/-21.657111; 150.217444
Tower
Constructed1985Edit this on Wikidata
ConstructionfiberglassEdit this on Wikidata
Height20 ft (6.1 m)Edit this on Wikidata
ShapecylinderEdit this on Wikidata
MarkingswhiteEdit this on Wikidata
Power sourcesolar powerEdit this on Wikidata
OperatorAustralian Maritime Safety AuthorityEdit this on Wikidata
Light
Focal height220 m (720 ft)Edit this on Wikidata
LensVRB-25Edit this on Wikidata
Intensity63,155 candelaEdit this on Wikidata
Range18 nmi (33 km; 21 mi)Edit this on Wikidata
CharacteristicFl W 10sEdit this on Wikidata

The current tower is a 20 feet (6.1 m) high fiberglass structure without a lantern,[2]which also acts as adaymark.[12] The currentlight characteristicis a white flash every ten seconds (Fl.W. 10s) visible at 318°-218°, for a distance of 18 nautical miles (33 km; 21 mi).[13] The apparatus is asolar poweredVRB-25rotating at 1rpm.The light source is a 12Volt35WattHalogen lampwith an intensity of 63,155cd.[12]

Of the other buildings on the station, one keeper's cottage is extant, painted white with a green roof.[2]

Site operation and visiting

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The original lighthouse stands in the Mackay Marina on the waterfront of Mackay Harbor. The site is managed by the Pine Islet Lighthouse Preservation Society and tours of the lighthouse currently not available until the Preservation society is reformed.[2]The current lighthouse at Pine Islet is operated by theAustralian Maritime Safety Authority.The island is accessible only by boat, and both the site and the tower are closed to the public.[2]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^abcdefgLighthouses of Australia Inc.
  2. ^abcdefRowlett.
  3. ^abNorman 1991.
  4. ^QHR16464.Norman 1991says "17th May" without mentioning the year.
  5. ^QHR16464.
  6. ^AHD19181.
  7. ^Low Isles Light.
  8. ^AHD100383.
  9. ^abcdefghAHD14988.
  10. ^abKnibbs 1909.
  11. ^According toLighthouses of Australia Incthis was the date written on a cement base by the crew.
  12. ^abAN272-01.
  13. ^List of Lights

References

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