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Althorpe Island light station
Title : Althorpe Island light station Althorpe Island light station
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Source : Althorpe Island lighthouse, South Australia.
Date of creation : 1923
Format : Photograph
Contributor : State Library of South Australia
Catalogue record
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Description :

Althorpe Island, the largest of a group of three islands, and lying beneath the toe of Yorke Peninsula's foot, is 96 hectares in extent and its black and orange cliffs soar 93 metres from the sea. The nearest mainland coast is at Cape Spencer 8 kilometres to the north.

The lighthouse was constructed in 1879, one of several lighthouse built in the late 1870s to light the entrance to Spencer Gulf. The light was illuminated for the first time on 14 February 1879, a revolving white light, with a red sector and a range of 27 miles (43.45 kms). There was only one small beach suitable for landing: here a small jetty was built for the landing of supplies. From this a ladder was placed for the climb to the top, alongside which ran a small tramline up which supplies could be hauled.

The lighthouse itself was built of limestone and sandstone quarried from the island and stands 64 feet (19.5metres) high. The glass gallery, lantern and dome were supplied by Chance Brothers. The lantern still remains atop the tower, but the light is now supplied by solar power. The Althorpe Island lighthouse was finally demanned in 1991.

The three cottages for the lightkeepers were built of limestone rubble. The head keeper's cottage was closest to the tower. The tramway from the jetty extended to the tower and the cottages, facilitating the handling of supplies. The lighthouse was not connected telegraphically to the mainland until March 1886. The cable was laid down on an unsurveyed sea bed and proved unsatisfactory. The cable was relaid in 1911 over a different route coming ashore at Marion Bay. Finally this provided reliable communication with the mainland, both for maritime matters and for the welfare of the families on the island.

Subjects
Coverage year : 1923
Period : 1919-1927
Place : Althorpe Island
Region : Yorke Peninsula
Further reading :

Ibbotson, John, Lighthouses of Australia: the offshore lights Surrey Hills, Vic.: Australian Lighthouse Traders, 2006

Lucieer, Michiel From pioneering to automation: Althorpe Island, South Australia [Althorpe Islands, S. Aust.: M. Lucieer], c1994

Lucieer, Michiel Hello out there: Althorpe Island [Althorpe Islands, S. Aust.: M. Lucieer, 1994?] /p>

Parsons, Ronald, Lighthouses of South Australia Magill, S. Aust.: R. Parsons, c1985 <>p

Internet links :
Exhibitions and events :

State Library of South Australia: Mortlock Wing exhibitions. Wooden Walls and Iron Sides August 2004-


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