Cape Cleveland Light
Encyclopedia
Cape Cleveland Light is an active lighthouse
located on the northern tip of Cape Cleveland, a promontory
projecting into the Coral Sea
west of Cleveland Bay and about 40 kilometres (24.9 mi) east of Townsville, Queensland
, Australia
. The lighthouse marks the northern point of the Cape, and the entrance to Cleveland Bay.
the Secretary to the Admiralty around that time, or after Cleveland, England
where he was born.
The need for a lighthouse at Cape Cleveland arose with proclamation of Cleveland Bay as a port of entry
in 1865, and the development of Townsville into a major port. From its beginning, the lighthouse was closely related to the Dent Island Light
. The construction of both lighthouses was recommended by Commander George Poynter Heath, the Chairman of the Queensland Marine Board, in February 1878. The lighthouses were formally approved in April 1878 and tenders for the construction of both stations, each including a lighthouse and two keepers' cottages, were called in May 1878 and closed in June 1878. The tenders were awarded to W. P. Clark, who also constructed Bustard Head Light
(1868), Low Isles Light
(1877), Double Island Point Light
(1884) and Pine Islet Light
(1885). However, following personal difficulties, the contracts were transferred to John Clark and James Wiseman who completed the construction of both stations in December 1879.
The lighthouse was designed by F.D.G. Stanley, Queensland's Colonial Architect of the time. It was the thirteenth lighthouse constructed by the Government of Queensland
and the fourteenth in total in Queensland, Cape Moreton Light
being constructed by the New South Wales Government. It was built in the unique Queensland method of constructing a timber frame and cladding
it with non-structural iron plates or iron sheets. Originally, the light also served as a rear light, but the range was since been discontinued. Like other lighthouses at that time it used a clockwork
mechanism with weights, which had to be wound periodically. Due to its short height (36 feet (11 m)) the mechanism had to be wound every 75 minutes, which was a big strain on the lighthouse keeper
s.
the lighthouse served as an observation post for the nearby Townsville which was a large allied base. An observation platform, a radar hut and a powerhouse were constructed at the post during the war, though only ruins remain.
In 1953 the two residences, as well as other sheds and building, were replaced. In 1956 the lens was replaced again. In the 1980s a new power house was constructed.. In 19 September 1987 the light was converted to solar power
and in December 1987 the lightstation was demanned. The solar power was upgraded to its current setup in 12 July 1994.
, visible for 15 nautical miles (27.8 km), are shown on 286°-321° and 342°-259°. Red flashes, with an intensity of 10,170 cd, visible for 12 nautical miles (22.2 km), are shown on 259°-286° (over Four Foot Rock). Otherwise, the light is obscured. The apparatus is a VRB-25
, turning at 1.333 rpm and the light source is a 12 Volt
35 Watt
Halogen lamp
.
with rivet
ed galvanized iron plates, painted white. The tower is topped by an iron lantern room with a copper cupola
, painted red. The lantern room is surrounded by a cantilever
ed iron balcony, supported on brackets, with simple iron railing. The tower's solar panels are mounted on the balcony.
The two 1953 cottages are timber framed, clad with timber weatherboards and trimmed with timber batten
s, painted pale green, white and dark green. The hip roof
s are clad with corrugated fibro cement
with stainless steel
gutters and downpipes. They have timber frame doors and timber sash window
s with metal window screen
s. The structures are raised on concrete piers. Over the years the cottages have deteriorated in condition.
, a flagpole, rainwater tank
s, a solar powerhouse for hot water, weather recording equipment in a Stevenson screen
, and remnants of a Tramway and a winch
house for the now removed flying fox
. The concrete foundations of the World War II observation post and radar hut also remain. All structures are in a dilapidated condition.
The old World War II power house is a bunker
-like structure, built of reinforced concrete
with a small extension to the east, which was at some point used as a henhouse. The main section roof is covered with asphalt, and the extension has a pitch
ed galvanised iron gable roof. One rectangular opening is in the main section and one in the extension. The garage and the workshop are timber framed and fibro clad, with a gable roofs of corrugated fibro cement with metal gutters and downpipes. They have timber doors, timber floors and timber-framed louvre windows.
and are closed to the public. The site is only accessible by boat or helicopter.
Lighthouse
A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire, and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways....
located on the northern tip of Cape Cleveland, a promontory
Promontory
Promontory may refer to:*Promontory, a prominent mass of land which overlooks lower lying land or a body of water*Promontory, Utah, the location where the United States first Transcontinental Railroad was completed...
projecting into the Coral Sea
Coral Sea
The Coral Sea is a marginal sea off the northeast coast of Australia. It is bounded in the west by the east coast of Queensland, thereby including the Great Barrier Reef, in the east by Vanuatu and by New Caledonia, and in the north approximately by the southern extremity of the Solomon Islands...
west of Cleveland Bay and about 40 kilometres (24.9 mi) east of Townsville, Queensland
Townsville, Queensland
Townsville is a city on the north-eastern coast of Australia, in the state of Queensland. Adjacent to the central section of the Great Barrier Reef, it is in the dry tropics region of Queensland. Townsville is Australia's largest urban centre north of the Sunshine Coast, with a 2006 census...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The lighthouse marks the northern point of the Cape, and the entrance to Cleveland Bay.
Establishment
Cape Cleveland was named by Captain James Cook in 1770, either in honour of a John ClevlandJohn Clevland (admiralty secretary)
John Clevland, , MP was Secretary to the Admiralty 1751–1763 .John Clevland was the son of Captain William Clevland, of Lanarkshire who rose to being the Controller of the Storekeepers' Accounts for the Navy Board . His mother, Ann Davie of Orleigh Court, was the daughter of John Davie...
the Secretary to the Admiralty around that time, or after Cleveland, England
Cleveland, England
Cleveland is an area in the north east of England. Its name means literally "cliff-land", referring to its hilly southern areas, which rise to nearly...
where he was born.
The need for a lighthouse at Cape Cleveland arose with proclamation of Cleveland Bay as a port of entry
Port of entry
In general, a port of entry is a place where one may lawfully enter a country. It typically has a staff of people who check passports and visas and inspect luggage to assure that contraband is not imported. International airports are usually ports of entry, as are road and rail crossings on a...
in 1865, and the development of Townsville into a major port. From its beginning, the lighthouse was closely related to the Dent Island Light
Dent Island Light
Dent Island Light is an active lighthouse located on Dent Island, a small island off the coast of Queensland, Australia. Dent Island is part of the Whitsunday Group of the Whitsunday Islands...
. The construction of both lighthouses was recommended by Commander George Poynter Heath, the Chairman of the Queensland Marine Board, in February 1878. The lighthouses were formally approved in April 1878 and tenders for the construction of both stations, each including a lighthouse and two keepers' cottages, were called in May 1878 and closed in June 1878. The tenders were awarded to W. P. Clark, who also constructed Bustard Head Light
Bustard Head Light
Bustard Head Light is an active lighthouse located on the southeast tip of Bustard Head, a headland, about northwest of 1770, Queensland, Australia, within the Eurimbula National Park. Built in 1868, it is the second oldest lightstation in Queensland, following Cape Moreton Light, and the first to...
(1868), Low Isles Light
Low Isles Light
Low Isles Light, also known as Low Islets Light or Low Island Light, is an active lighthouse located on Low Island, a coral cay which together with Woody Island forms the Low Isles group, about northeast of Port Douglas, Queensland, Australia...
(1877), Double Island Point Light
Double Island Point Light
Double Island Point Light is an active lighthouse located at the summit of Double Island Point, a coastal headland within the Cooloola section of the Great Sandy National Park. It is located at the southern end of Wide Bay, north of Noosa Heads, Queensland, Australia.Though the location was...
(1884) and Pine Islet Light
Pine Islet Light
Pine Islet Light, also known as Percy Isles Light, is an active lighthouse located at Pine Islet, a small islet belonging to the Percy Isles group of the Northumberland Islands, about southeast of Mackay, Queensland, Australia...
(1885). However, following personal difficulties, the contracts were transferred to John Clark and James Wiseman who completed the construction of both stations in December 1879.
The lighthouse was designed by F.D.G. Stanley, Queensland's Colonial Architect of the time. It was the thirteenth lighthouse constructed by the Government of Queensland
Government of Queensland
The Government of Queensland is commonly known as the "Queensland Government".The form of the Government of Queensland is prescribed in its Constitution, which dates from 1859, although it has been amended many times since then...
and the fourteenth in total in Queensland, Cape Moreton Light
Cape Moreton Light
Cape Moreton Light, also listed as North Point Range Rear Light, is an active lighthouse located on Cape Moreton, a rocky headland located at the north eastern tip of Moreton Island, a large sand island on the eastern side of Moreton Bay, on the coast of South East Queensland, Australia...
being constructed by the New South Wales Government. It was built in the unique Queensland method of constructing a timber frame and cladding
Cladding (construction)
Cladding is the application of one material over another to provide a skin or layer intended to control the infiltration of weather elements, or for aesthetic purposes....
it with non-structural iron plates or iron sheets. Originally, the light also served as a rear light, but the range was since been discontinued. Like other lighthouses at that time it used a clockwork
Clockwork
A clockwork is the inner workings of either a mechanical clock or a device that operates in a similar fashion. Specifically, the term refers to a mechanical device utilizing a complex series of gears....
mechanism with weights, which had to be wound periodically. Due to its short height (36 feet (11 m)) the mechanism had to be wound every 75 minutes, which was a big strain on the lighthouse keeper
Lighthouse keeper
A lighthouse keeper is the person responsible for tending and caring for a lighthouse, particularly the light and lens in the days when oil lamps and clockwork mechanisms were used. Keepers were needed to trim the wicks, replenish fuel, wind clockworks and perform maintenance tasks such as cleaning...
s.
Development
A telephone line to Townsville was installed in 1924. In 1926 the lens was replaced and the light source was converted to an acetylene gas lamp with an intensity of 50,000 cd. During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
the lighthouse served as an observation post for the nearby Townsville which was a large allied base. An observation platform, a radar hut and a powerhouse were constructed at the post during the war, though only ruins remain.
In 1953 the two residences, as well as other sheds and building, were replaced. In 1956 the lens was replaced again. In the 1980s a new power house was constructed.. In 19 September 1987 the light was converted to solar power
Solar power
Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar radiation, along with secondary solar-powered resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass, account for most of the available...
and in December 1987 the lightstation was demanned. The solar power was upgraded to its current setup in 12 July 1994.
Current display
The current light characteristic is a flash every 7.5 second, red or white depending on the sector. White flashes, with an intensity of 48,430 cdCandela
The candela is the SI base unit of luminous intensity; that is, power emitted by a light source in a particular direction, weighted by the luminosity function . A common candle emits light with a luminous intensity of roughly one candela...
, visible for 15 nautical miles (27.8 km), are shown on 286°-321° and 342°-259°. Red flashes, with an intensity of 10,170 cd, visible for 12 nautical miles (22.2 km), are shown on 259°-286° (over Four Foot Rock). Otherwise, the light is obscured. The apparatus is a VRB-25
VRB-25
The VRB-25 is a lighthouse optical system designed and built by Vega Industries Ltd. in Porirua, New Zealand. It was originally designed in 1993-95 with the assistance of the United States Coast Guard to meet USCG requirements for a robust mechanism requiring minimum maintenance. It has become the...
, turning at 1.333 rpm and the light source is a 12 Volt
Volt
The volt is the SI derived unit for electric potential, electric potential difference, and electromotive force. The volt is named in honor of the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta , who invented the voltaic pile, possibly the first chemical battery.- Definition :A single volt is defined as the...
35 Watt
Watt
The watt is a derived unit of power in the International System of Units , named after the Scottish engineer James Watt . The unit, defined as one joule per second, measures the rate of energy conversion.-Definition:...
Halogen lamp
Halogen lamp
A halogen lamp, also known as a tungsten halogen lamp, is an incandescent lamp with a tungsten filament contained within an inert gas and a small amount of a halogen such as iodine or bromine. The chemical halogen cycle redeposits evaporated tungsten back on to the filament, extending the life of...
.
Structures
Unlike other stations, the Cape Cleveland Light structures are built in a nonlinear fashion, to fit the contours of the site. They include the lighthouse, two residences, and assorted buildings.Lighthouse and residences
The circular tower is 6.7 metres (22 ft) from base to lantern. It is built of an internal timber frame, cladCladding (construction)
Cladding is the application of one material over another to provide a skin or layer intended to control the infiltration of weather elements, or for aesthetic purposes....
with rivet
Rivet
A rivet is a permanent mechanical fastener. Before being installed a rivet consists of a smooth cylindrical shaft with a head on one end. The end opposite the head is called the buck-tail. On installation the rivet is placed in a punched or pre-drilled hole, and the tail is upset, or bucked A rivet...
ed galvanized iron plates, painted white. The tower is topped by an iron lantern room with a copper cupola
Cupola
In architecture, a cupola is a small, most-often dome-like, structure on top of a building. Often used to provide a lookout or to admit light and air, it usually crowns a larger roof or dome....
, painted red. The lantern room is surrounded by a cantilever
Cantilever
A cantilever is a beam anchored at only one end. The beam carries the load to the support where it is resisted by moment and shear stress. Cantilever construction allows for overhanging structures without external bracing. Cantilevers can also be constructed with trusses or slabs.This is in...
ed iron balcony, supported on brackets, with simple iron railing. The tower's solar panels are mounted on the balcony.
The two 1953 cottages are timber framed, clad with timber weatherboards and trimmed with timber batten
Batten
A batten is a thin strip of solid material, typically made from wood, plastic or metal. Battens are used in building construction and various other fields as both structural and purely cosmetic elements...
s, painted pale green, white and dark green. The hip roof
Hip roof
A hip roof, or hipped roof, is a type of roof where all sides slope downwards to the walls, usually with a fairly gentle slope. Thus it is a house with no gables or other vertical sides to the roof. A square hip roof is shaped like a pyramid. Hip roofs on the houses could have two triangular side...
s are clad with corrugated fibro cement
Fibro
Fibro, the shortened form of "Fibrous Cement" - or "Fibrous Asbestos Cement", FAC, is a building material made of compressed fibres cemented into rigid sheets....
with stainless steel
Stainless steel
In metallurgy, stainless steel, also known as inox steel or inox from French "inoxydable", is defined as a steel alloy with a minimum of 10.5 or 11% chromium content by mass....
gutters and downpipes. They have timber frame doors and timber sash window
Sash window
A sash window or hung sash window is made of one or more movable panels or "sashes" that form a frame to hold panes of glass, which are often separated from other panes by narrow muntins...
s with metal window screen
Window screen
A window screen, insect screen or bug screen is a metal wire, fiberglass, or other synthetic fiber mesh, stretched in a frame of wood or metal, designed to cover the opening of an open window. Its primary purpose is to keep leaves, debris, insects, birds, and other animals from entering a building...
s. The structures are raised on concrete piers. Over the years the cottages have deteriorated in condition.
Other structures
Other structures include the old and new power houses, a garage, a workshop/store, a helipadHelipad
Helipad is a common abbreviation for helicopter landing pad, a landing area for helicopters. While helicopters are able to operate on a variety of relatively flat surfaces, a fabricated helipad provides a clearly marked hard surface away from obstacles where a helicopter can safely...
, a flagpole, rainwater tank
Rainwater tank
A rainwater tank is a water tank used to collect and store rain water runoff, typically from rooftops via rain gutters...
s, a solar powerhouse for hot water, weather recording equipment in a Stevenson screen
Stevenson screen
A Stevenson screen or instrument shelter is an enclosure to shield meteorological instruments against precipitation and direct heat radiation from outside sources, while still allowing air to circulate freely around them. It forms part of a standard weather station...
, and remnants of a Tramway and a winch
Winch
A winch is a mechanical device that is used to pull in or let out or otherwise adjust the "tension" of a rope or wire rope . In its simplest form it consists of a spool and attached hand crank. In larger forms, winches stand at the heart of machines as diverse as tow trucks, steam shovels and...
house for the now removed flying fox
Flying fox (cablecar)
A flying fox is a small cable car, often propelled by gravity, and used as an item of children's play equipment and more rarely for other purposes. The term flying fox is Australian English and New Zealand English. In other countries, it can be called a zip-line. Similar toys are known as death...
. The concrete foundations of the World War II observation post and radar hut also remain. All structures are in a dilapidated condition.
The old World War II power house is a bunker
Bunker
A military bunker is a hardened shelter, often buried partly or fully underground, designed to protect the inhabitants from falling bombs or other attacks...
-like structure, built of reinforced concrete
Reinforced concrete
Reinforced concrete is concrete in which reinforcement bars , reinforcement grids, plates or fibers have been incorporated to strengthen the concrete in tension. It was invented by French gardener Joseph Monier in 1849 and patented in 1867. The term Ferro Concrete refers only to concrete that is...
with a small extension to the east, which was at some point used as a henhouse. The main section roof is covered with asphalt, and the extension has a pitch
Pitch (resin)
Pitch is the name for any of a number of viscoelastic, solid polymers. Pitch can be made from petroleum products or plants. Petroleum-derived pitch is also called bitumen. Pitch produced from plants is also known as resin. Products made from plant resin are also known as rosin.Pitch was...
ed galvanised iron gable roof. One rectangular opening is in the main section and one in the extension. The garage and the workshop are timber framed and fibro clad, with a gable roofs of corrugated fibro cement with metal gutters and downpipes. They have timber doors, timber floors and timber-framed louvre windows.
Site operation and visiting
Both the light and the site are operated by the Australian Maritime Safety AuthorityAustralian Maritime Safety Authority
Australian Maritime Safety Authority is responsible, on behalf of the Commonwealth Government of Australia, for the regulation and safety oversight of Australia's shipping fleet and management of Australia's international maritime obligations...
and are closed to the public. The site is only accessible by boat or helicopter.