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History & Information | Photographs | Map and Access Details | Links HISTORY & INFORMATION The Black Lighthouse at Queenscliff (1862) is one of four leading lights at Queenscliff which are used by ship's masters and pilots to align their vessels with the appropriate channels to make a safe passage through the rip and into Port Phillip Bay. The Black Lighthouse is one of only three of this colour in the world, and it is the only black lighthouse in the Southern Hemisphere.The Black Lighthouse is the high light, and when aligned with the the low light - the White Lighthouse (1862) - a vessel is on a line 30m to the east of the centre line of the deepest channel (14.6m) running through the rip. The Black Lighthouse was constructed of basalt brought to Queenscliff from the banks of the Yarra River, and stands within the walls of Fort Queenscliff. The lighthouse was built to replace an earlier sandstone 1843 lighthouse that was under-powered and the tower had structurally deteriorated. The construction was completed in August 1863. The new light was built in conjunction with the White (Low) Lighthouse and therefore has many similarities in design. The lamps and housings were manufactured by Chance Brothers in England. The entrance was 3.5 metres above ground level reflecting the English lighthouses that where built on rocks at sea level. The entrance was later rebuilt at ground level. The light was converted to gas in 1890 and later converted to electricity in 1924. It is believe that the first public telephone service in Victoria was installed in this lighthouse. The light, now automated, is unmanned.
Sources: Photographed by K. Eggleston, 28 November 1999 © Kristie Eggleston
Page last updated: 28 December 2003 Copyright © 1999-2003 Kristie Eggleston. All rights reserved. Email: kristie_eggleston@hotmail.com |
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