Green Island, Hong Kong

Green Island

Green Island Lighthouse Compound
Green Island
Hong Kong
Coordinates 22°17′02″N 114°06′40″E / 22.283799°N 114.111163°E / 22.283799; 114.111163
Year first constructed 1875 (first)
Year first lit 1905 (current)
Construction granite tower (both)
Tower shape cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern (current)
cylindrical tower and lantern removed (first)
Markings / pattern white tower and lantern
Height 12 metres (39 ft) (first)
17.5 metres (57 ft) (current)
Focal height 37 metres (121 ft) (current)
Original lens 4th order Fresnel lens (first)
Current lens 1st order Fresnel lens
Range 16 nautical miles (30 km; 18 mi)
Characteristic Fl W 10s.
Admiralty number F3538
NGA number 19460
ARLHS number HOK-002
Hong Kong number HK-069[1]
Green Island, Hong Kong
Traditional Chinese 青洲


Green Island (Chinese: 青洲) is an island off the northwest coast of Kennedy Town on the Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong, separated by the Sulphur Channel. A smaller island nearby to the east, uninhabited, is called Little Green Island (小青洲). Administratively, the two islands are part of Central and Western District.

Buildings

Green Island is largely uninhabited and at the east coast is Green Island Reception Centre and Green Island Police Station. Top of the hill is an office of Marine Department and a light house southwest guides the ships in Sulphur Channel.

Green Island Lighthouse Compound

The buildings of the Green Island Lighthouse Compound were declared as monuments in 2008.[2] The historic buildings include the two lighthouses built in 1875 and 1905 respectively and the European quarters of the lighthouse compound. These three buildings are individually Grade II historic buildings.[3]

The first lighthouse began operation July 1, 1875, 12 metres (39 ft) tall, and was constructed of granite. There are two cross-shaped openings on its wall for ventilation and lighting. The openings resemble gun-posts like those found in medieval European castles. These are of the same construction that was found on the Cape Collinson (Siu Sai Wan, Hong Kong Island) Lighthouse.[4] Construction began on a second lighthouse in 1904, that was completed in 1905, and was originally intended to house the Cape D’Aguilar light. Built of granite and concrete, sitting beside the older one, the newer lighthouse is 17.5 metres (57 ft) tall, painted white, with a steel caged lantern on top. A concrete spiral staircase with rails give access to the lantern room. An upper floor was added to the keeper’s house in 1923 and the lighthouse was automated in the 70's. The two lighthouses, along with Cape D'Aguilar Lighthouse, Waglan Island Lighthouse and Tang Lung Chau Lighthouse (Kap Sing Lighthouse) are the only prewar lighthouses remaining.[5]

Flora and Fauna

The island is densely covered with woodland and tall scrub. A total of 150 plant species and a large variety of butterfly species have been found. One ant species not previously found elsewhere in Hong Kong was recorded on Green Island. The locally rare reef egret and white-bellied sea eagle have been seen on the island.

Air traffic

Green Island is an important reporting point for location aviation in Hong Kong for entry to Victoria Harbour by air. All local traffic flying into or out of the Harbour must report overhead Green Island. As the Harbour is quite narrow and aviation traffic can be heavy at times due to the large number of helicopters and light aircraft, Green Island can also act as a holding point before permission to enter is granted by air traffic control.

Reclamation

In the 1990s, the Hong Kong Government has proposed reclamation of Sulphur Channel and turning Green Island into a residential area, with an exit of cross-harbour tunnel of Route 10. The proposal was put off due to strong opposition from environmental concern groups.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of China: Hong Kong". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  2. ↑ List of Declared Monuments of Hong Kong
  3. ↑ List of Graded Historic buildings in Hong Kong (As at 16 May 2008)
  4. ↑ Cape Collinson Lighthouse- Retrieved 2016-06-04
  5. ↑ Green Island Lighthouse Compound- Hong Kong Antiquities and Monuments Office, Leisure and Cultural Services.- Retrieved 2016-06-03
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Coordinates: 22°17′5″N 114°6′46″E / 22.28472°N 114.11278°E / 22.28472; 114.11278

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