Bean Rock Lighthouse (1871)
View from Fullers Ferry
View from Bastion Point
One of only two wave washed lighthouses in New Zealand, (the other Ponui Passage no longer stands), Bean Rock stands on a group of rocks opposite North Head at the entrance to Waitemata harbour, Auckland.
The Waitemata harbour was surveyed in 1840 by Lt. P. Fisher aboard the HMS Herald with assistance from P. C. D. Bean the master of the vessel, after which Bean Rock is named. The local maori named the rock "Te Toka a Kapetawa" and the legend is that a chief named Tara marooned his brother-in-law there.
During the 1840's a day maker was erected on the rock, but by the 1867 gold rush a more substantial light was needed. Marine Engineer James Balfour recommended a principal harbour light be erected on Bean Rock and a screw pile light be erected on a sand spit in Ponui Passage.
Designed by engineer James Stewart, construction begun on the Bean Rock lighthouse in 1870. The work was completed in 8 months by Auckland builder William Cameron. The design was an open framework with a cottage on top. First iron foundations were driven deep into the rock then wooden poles in a hexagonal pattern were erected around a central column. Lastly, thirty feet above the water the hexagonal cottage was built. The cottage featured a wrap around verandah and the roof was corrugated iron. A fifth order lens from London was installed which flashed white, red and green to indicate the safe channels.
Hugh Brown the first keeper first lit the light in July, 1871. Mr. Brown, a former crew member of a harbour pilot boat was to stay at the lighthouse for nineteen years until his retirement in 1890 due to ill health.
The keepers families lived in Davenport and transportation to the light was by a small rowing boat.
During 1898-99 major repairs were made to the light.
Bean Rock was the first watched light to lose it's resident keeper. In 1912 the light was automated.
DIRECTIONS:
Can be viewed from Bastion Point in Auckland city.
Also Fullers Coffee Cruise passes near by.
(See Rangitoto)
| Island | North |
| Province | Auckland |
| Location | Waitemata Harbour |
| Number | K3748 |
| Date Commissioned | July, 1871 |
| Date Decommissioned | |
| Automated | 1912 |
| Latitude | 36° 50' South |
| Longitude | 174° 40' East |
| Elevation Above Sea Level | 15m |
| Height | 15m |
| Character | Flashes 3 times white and red every 8 seconds |
| Range | (White) N. 14 miles, (Red) N. 11 miles |
| Made | |
| Construction | White metal framework tower |
| Converted Kerosene To Diesel | |
| Converted Diesel To Mains Electricity | |
| Wattage | |
| Present Tower | Original |
| Authority | |
| Date Visited | 3 February, 2000 |
| Head Keeper | From | To |
| Hugh Brown | July, 1871 | 1890 |
| James Anderson | 1909 | 1911 |
| Assistant Keeper (1st) | From | To |
Text and photographs. Copyright © 1999-2005 Mark Phillips. All rights reserved.