East Vernon Light

East Vernon Light

Historical view of the original lighthouse
Northern Territory
Location East Vernon Island
Northern Territory
Australia
Coordinates 12°4′37.99″S 131°5′43.12″E / 12.0772194°S 131.0953111°E / -12.0772194; 131.0953111Coordinates: 12°4′37.99″S 131°5′43.12″E / 12.0772194°S 131.0953111°E / -12.0772194; 131.0953111
Year first constructed 1910s (first)[1]
Year first lit n/a (current)
Foundation four concrete piles and platform
Construction metal skeletal tower (first)
fiberglass tower (current)
Tower shape square pyramidal skeletal tower with balcony and lantern (first)
cylindrical tower and no lantern (current)
Markings / pattern red
Height 36 feet (11 m)
Focal height 39 feet (12 m)
Range white: 11 nmi (20 km; 13 mi)
red: 9 nmi (17 km; 10 mi)
green: 9 nmi (17 km; 10 mi)
Characteristic Fl WRG 5s.
Admiralty number K3316
NGA number 111-9540
ARLHS number AUS-066

East Vernon Light is an active lighthouse located on the water's edge at the south side of East Vernon Island, an island off the shore of the Northern Territory, Australia. The lighthouse guards the northeastern approach to Darwin.[2]

The Vernon Islands were named on 21 May 1818 by Phillip Parker King at the King Expedition of 1817, honouring Edward Venables-Vernon-Harcourt.[3]

History

The original lighthouse was constructed by the Commonwealth Lighthouse Service during the "Golden Age of Australian Lighthouses", between 1913 and 1920.[1] It was a square skeletal tower with a lantern and a gallery, about 70 feet (21 m) high. The current red lighthouse was built on the same piles.[2]

The light characteristic shown is a flash every five seconds, with a different color depending on the direction: white on 250°-042° and -094°, red on -088° and green on -105°. The light is obscured elsewhere (Fl.W.R.G. 5s). The red and green lights are visible for 8 nautical miles (15 km; 9.2 mi) while the white light is visible for 11 nautical miles (20 km; 13 mi).[4]

The site is accessible by boat and the tower is closed to the public. The light is operated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.[2]

See also


Notes

  1. 1 2 According to Komesaroff 1977. Rowlett lists 1928 as the station establishment.
  2. 1 2 3 Rowlett.
  3. Discovery.
  4. List of Lights

References


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