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Nobbys Head Light

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Nobbys Head Light
Nobbys Head Light, 1902
Map
LocationNobbys Head
Newcastle, New South Wales
Australia Australia
Coordinates32°55′07″S 151°47′53″E / 32.9186°S 151.798°E / -32.9186; 151.798
Tower
Constructed1821 Edit this on Wikidata
Constructiondressed sandstone
Automated1935
Height32 feet (9.8 m)[2]
Shapecylindrical tower with balcony and lantern
Markingswhite tower and lantern
OperatorAustralian Maritime Safety Authority
Heritagelisted on the Commonwealth Heritage List Edit this on Wikidata
Fog signalSiren(1) 20s
Light
First lit1858[1]
Focal height115 feet (35 m)[3]
Intensity580,000 cd
Range24 nautical miles (44 km; 28 mi)
CharacteristicFl.(2+1) W. 20s

Nobbys Head Light is an active lighthouse on Nobbys Head, a headland on the south side of the entrance to Newcastle Harbour, New South Wales, Australia. An image of the lighthouse is included in the Coat of Arms of the City of Newcastle.[8]

The lighthouse is operated by the Newcastle Port Corporation. The headland is managed by the Land Property Management Authority[9] and is open to the public Sundays from 10am to 4pm.

History

The first beacon in the area was an open coal fire set on Signal Head, with a range of 7 kilometres (4.3 mi). This was changed in 1821 to a large metal device burning oil, which was visible for 12 kilometres (7.5 mi), but shortly reverted to coal as the oil system was not reliable.

By 1846 Nobbys Head, originally a small islet more than 60 metres (200 ft) high, was connected to the mainland with a causeway. The island was reduced in height to improve the sailing conditions and to accommodate a lighthouse and signal station, built in 1858. The lighthouse was designed by Alexander Dawson. The original light had an intensity of 20,000 cd and was attended by three lighthouse keepers.

In 1934 the light was electrified and automated.

The current light source is a 120 volt 1,000-watt (1.3 hp), quartz halogen lamp and the power source is mains electricity with a diesel generator as backup. Currently at the site are three one-story keeper's houses, a three-story signal station, and other buildings housing the port watch. The entire station is floodlit at night.

  • Nobbys Head, 2009
    Nobbys Head, 2009
  • Nobbys Head in 1887
    Nobbys Head in 1887
  • View of Nobbys Head from a distance
    View of Nobbys Head from a distance

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nobbys Head Light.

References and notes

  1. ^ According to "Lighthouses of Australia". Directory of Lighthouses says 1854.
  2. ^ According to List of Lights. "Lighthouses of Australia" says 35m.
  3. ^ According to List of Lights. "Lighthouses of Australia" says 25m.
  4. ^ List of Lights, Pub. 111: The West Coasts of North and South America (Excluding Continental U.S.A. and Hawaii), Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, and the Islands of the North and South Pacific Oceans (PDF). List of Lights. United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. 2009. p. 124.
  5. ^ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Australia: Northern New South Wales". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
  6. ^ "The Nobbys Head Lighthouse at Newcastle". Lighthouses of New South Wales. Lighthouses of Australia Inc.
  7. ^ Searle, Garry. "Nobby". Lighthouses of New South Wales. SeaSide Lights.
  8. ^ "Commonwealth heritage places in New South Wales (Nobbys Lighthouse, Newcastle East)". Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Retrieved 2008-07-21.
  9. ^ McMahon, Jeannette (23 November 2010). "Opening Nobbys headland to the public". ABC News. Newcastle, Australia. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
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