Point Danger Light

Point Danger Light

Point Danger Light
Queensland
Location Point Danger
Queensland
Australia
Coordinates 28°09′54.09″S 153°33′02.63″E / 28.1650250°S 153.5507306°E / -28.1650250; 153.5507306Coordinates: 28°09′54.09″S 153°33′02.63″E / 28.1650250°S 153.5507306°E / -28.1650250; 153.5507306
Year first constructed 1971[1]
Automated 1971
Construction concrete tower
Tower shape four rectangular pillars with a bronze sculpture suspended between them
Markings / pattern white columns, floodlit
Height 67 feet (20 m)[2]
Focal height 146 feet (45 m)
Light source mains power
Range 11 nautical miles (20 km; 13 mi)[3]
Characteristic Fl (2) W  10s.
Admiralty number K2845
NGA number 111-5868
ARLHS number AUS-132
Managing agent Australian Maritime Safety Authority

Point Danger Light, also known as the Captain Cook Memorial Light, is an active lighthouse located on Point Danger, a headland between Coolangatta, Queensland and Tweed Heads, New South Wales, marking the border between New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. It lays claim to be the first lighthouse in the world to experiment with laser as a light source.[4]

History

Point Danger Light was the third of a group of seven concrete towers erected between 1964 and 1979 in Queensland, in order of erection Cape Capricorn Light, New Caloundra Light, itself, New Burnett Heads Light, Fitzroy Island Light, Point Cartwright Light and Archer Point Light.[5] Constructed in 1971,[1] it commemorates the bicentennial of Captain Cook's first voyage, and specifically the voyage along the east coast of Australia in 1770.[6] It was first exhibited on 18 April 1971.[7]

The original light source was an experimental laser based light,[7] and the lighthouse may very well be the first in the world to experiment with this light source. However, the experiment failed,[4] and the light source was replaced in 1975 by a regular electric lamp.[7]

Current display

The light characteristic shown is two white flashes every ten seconds (Fl.(2)W. 10s), visible at 170°-330°[8] for 11 nautical miles (20 km; 13 mi).[3] The light source is an electric lamp, fed by a battery float charged from the mains electricity.[4][7]

Structures

The lighthouse is constructed of four concrete columns, marked with the four cardinal directions, and a bronze sculpture hung between the columns.[9]

Also near-by is a one-story building housing the Marine Rescue NSW Point Danger station.[9]

Site operation and visiting

The light is operated by Roads and Maritime Services (formerly NSW Maritime).[10] The site is accessible, but the tower is closed to the public.[9]

See also


Notes

  1. 1 2 Rowlett, NSW Maritime. Searle states 1970.
  2. ↑ Searle and List of Lights. Rowlett states 66 feet (20 m).
  3. 1 2 List of Lights. NSW Maritime states 10 nmi. Lighthouses of Australia Inc and Maizels 1998 list 18 nmi based on an AMSA plaque shown in Maizels 1998b.
  4. 1 2 3 Lighthouses of Australia Inc.
  5. ↑ CHIMS31351.
  6. ↑ NSW Maritime.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Maizels 1998b.
  8. ↑ List of Lights.
  9. 1 2 3 Rowlett.
  10. ↑ NSW Maritime. Rowlett and Lighthouses of Australia Inc both state AMSA. However, note that the date of latter is 2003-08-06 and NSW Maritime states some of the lighthouses were transferred in 2004.

References

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