Emery Point Light

Emery Point Light

Emery Point Light, 1915
Northern Territory
Location Larrakeyah Barracks
Northern Territory
Australia
Coordinates 12°27′13.5″S 130°48′55.99″E / 12.453750°S 130.8155528°E / -12.453750; 130.8155528Coordinates: 12°27′13.5″S 130°48′55.99″E / 12.453750°S 130.8155528°E / -12.453750; 130.8155528
Year first constructed 1900
Year first lit 1915[1]
Foundation concrete basement
Construction metal skeletal tower
Tower shape square pyramidal tower with balcony and lantern
Markings / pattern white tower and lantern
Height 31 feet (9.4 m)
Focal height 60 feet (18 m)
Range white: 19 nmi (35 km; 22 mi)
red: 14 nmi (26 km; 16 mi)
Characteristic Fl(3) WR 15s.
Admiralty number K3324
NGA number 111-9528
ARLHS number AUS-071
Managing agent Larrakeyah Barracks

Emery Point Light is an active lighthouse located at Larrakeyah Barracks, the main base for the Australian Defence Force in Northern Territory, Australia, at the entrance to Port Darwin.[2] It was the second lighthouse to be built in Port Darwin.[3] It was the only navigational aid to remain functional in the path of Cyclone Tracy.[4]

History

The lighthouse dismantled in 1915

The first light at Emery Point was established in 1900, and dismantled in May 1915, in preparation for the installation of the current lighthouse, which was installed later that year.[1] Its construction was part of the "Golden Age of Australian Lighthouses", taking place between 1913 and 1920.[5]

The original light source was a carbide lamp (acetylene gas lamp). It was converted to electric power on 23 March 1966, with an acetylene gas standby.[3] The current light source is a 1,000 watt tungsten-halogen lamp.[3]

In Christmas Eve of 1974, Cyclone Tracy hit the city of Darwin. Emery Point Light was the only navigational aid to remain functional in the path of the storm.[4]

Over the years, the light characteristic shown was changed. The original characteristic was an occulting light, with an eclipse of 1.5 seconds every six seconds (Oc. 6s). It used to have a range of 17 nautical miles (31 km; 20 mi).[3] The current light characteristic shown is three flashes, one every two seconds, repeating every 15 seconds (Fl.(3)W.R. 15s). The color is red on -181° and white on 335°-139°. The red light is visible for 14 nautical miles (26 km; 16 mi) while the white light is visible for 19 nautical miles (35 km; 22 mi).[6]

Emery Point

Emery Point was originally called Goondal. It was named after a Lieutenant Emery, who discovered fresh water at the base of the cliff.[7]

Structure

The current tower, dating from 1915, is a square metal skeletal tower, painted white, topped with a lantern.[2] Its height is 31 feet (9.4 m) from the base to the lantern, and the focal height (height of the light above sea level) is 60 feet (18 m).[6][3]

Visiting and operation

The site and the tower are inside a military base and are closed to the public, though a sea view is possible. The light is operated by the Darwin Port Corporation.[2][8]

See also


Notes

  1. 1 2 According to Komesaroff 1977 and AHD16274. Rowlett and Searle say 1917.
  2. 1 2 3 Rowlett.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 AHD16274.
  4. 1 2 According to AHD16274. Note that Point Charles Light also survived, but was not functional at the time, see Foley 1987.
  5. ↑ Komesaroff 1977.
  6. 1 2 List of Lights
  7. ↑ Goondal.
  8. ↑ AHD17692.

References


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