Planier Light
Encyclopedia
Planier Light is an active lighthouse
on the small Île du Planier (Planier island), 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) from Marseille
, Bouches-du-Rhône
, France
. At a height of 216 feet (65.8 m) it is the twelfth tallest "traditional lighthouse" in the world.
The island is only accessible by boat, and both the site and the tower are closed to the public.
In 1774 it was replaced by a circular stone tower at a height of either 20 metres (65.6 ft), 39 feet (11.9 m), or 9 metres (29.5 ft), 13 metres (42.7 ft) above sea level tall. It was 5.85 metres (19.2 ft) in diameter, equipped with 14 oil lamps, burning vegetable oil. It was operated by two teams of two keepers alternating each month.
The design of a second lighthouse started February 15, 1823, by engineer Garella. It was approved November 17, 1823 and construction started at February 9, 1824, but terminated on September 23, 1825. It was later continued by a new contractor called Melchioni, and the new light was lit on March 1, 1829. The tower was a cylindrical stone tower on a square base, 36 metres (118.1 ft) tall, 40 metres (131.2 ft) above sea level, rising from a square dwelling. The light characteristic used was a long white every 30s, and the lens was a 920mm lens. Vegetable oil was used until 1873 when it was replaced with mineral oil.
On February 17, 1876 construction of a new tower began by a contractor called Mendeville. Works were interrupted in October 1878 and terminated on May 21, 1879. A second auction was presented on September 18, 1879 and the tower was completed in July 1881. On December 1, 1881 the new light was moved to the new tower. This third tower was a cylindrical stone tower, either 62 metres (203.4 ft), or 59 metres (193.6 ft) (63 metres (206.7 ft) above sea level) tall. The light was electrical with 300mm lens, and the characteristic used was three white flashes, separated by a red glow until 1902 when it was replaced by the current white flash every 5s. In 1902 mercury bearings were installed.
In August 1944 during World War II
, all towers were destroyed. A temporary provisional light was set in 1945 on a metal Metal pylon, 205 feet (62.5 m) tall. This light served until the construction of the current lighthouse, which was lit on August 25, 1959. The current tower was designed by architects Arbus and Crillon. Three drafts were rejected by the Lighthouse Service, causing a delay in the construction.
The current structures include one story stone crew quarters.
The current light characteristic is one white flash every five seconds (Fl.W. 5s). The light is partially obscured.
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....
on the small Île du Planier (Planier island), 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) from Marseille
Marseille
Marseille , known in antiquity as Massalia , is the second largest city in France, after Paris, with a population of 852,395 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Marseille extends beyond the city limits with a population of over 1,420,000 on an area of...
, Bouches-du-Rhône
Bouches-du-Rhône
Bouches-du-Rhône is a department in the south of France named after the mouth of the Rhône River. It is the most populous department of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Its INSEE and postal code is 13.-History of the department:...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. At a height of 216 feet (65.8 m) it is the twelfth tallest "traditional lighthouse" in the world.
The island is only accessible by boat, and both the site and the tower are closed to the public.
History
The first tower was built in the location in 1320 by Robert d'Anjou.In 1774 it was replaced by a circular stone tower at a height of either 20 metres (65.6 ft), 39 feet (11.9 m), or 9 metres (29.5 ft), 13 metres (42.7 ft) above sea level tall. It was 5.85 metres (19.2 ft) in diameter, equipped with 14 oil lamps, burning vegetable oil. It was operated by two teams of two keepers alternating each month.
The design of a second lighthouse started February 15, 1823, by engineer Garella. It was approved November 17, 1823 and construction started at February 9, 1824, but terminated on September 23, 1825. It was later continued by a new contractor called Melchioni, and the new light was lit on March 1, 1829. The tower was a cylindrical stone tower on a square base, 36 metres (118.1 ft) tall, 40 metres (131.2 ft) above sea level, rising from a square dwelling. The light characteristic used was a long white every 30s, and the lens was a 920mm lens. Vegetable oil was used until 1873 when it was replaced with mineral oil.
On February 17, 1876 construction of a new tower began by a contractor called Mendeville. Works were interrupted in October 1878 and terminated on May 21, 1879. A second auction was presented on September 18, 1879 and the tower was completed in July 1881. On December 1, 1881 the new light was moved to the new tower. This third tower was a cylindrical stone tower, either 62 metres (203.4 ft), or 59 metres (193.6 ft) (63 metres (206.7 ft) above sea level) tall. The light was electrical with 300mm lens, and the characteristic used was three white flashes, separated by a red glow until 1902 when it was replaced by the current white flash every 5s. In 1902 mercury bearings were installed.
In August 1944 during World War II
World 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...
, all towers were destroyed. A temporary provisional light was set in 1945 on a metal Metal pylon, 205 feet (62.5 m) tall. This light served until the construction of the current lighthouse, which was lit on August 25, 1959. The current tower was designed by architects Arbus and Crillon. Three drafts were rejected by the Lighthouse Service, causing a delay in the construction.
The current structures include one story stone crew quarters.
The current light characteristic is one white flash every five seconds (Fl.W. 5s). The light is partially obscured.
See also
- List of tallest lighthouses in the world
- List of lighthouses in France