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Cape Brett Lighthouse (1910)

        

Photo courtesy of MSA.                                                                                                                                                                                  All views from Fullers Cruise  

   

 

 Photos from Eric Tarlton, used by permission of Once Again Images

   

 Photos from Eric Tarlton, used by permission of Once Again Images

 

 Photos from Eric Tarlton, used by permission of Once Again Images

 Photos from Eric Tarlton, used by permission of Once Again Images

               

 Photos from Eric Tarlton, used by permission of Once Again Images

 

Cape Brett Lighthouse is situated at the entrance to the Bay of Islands and overlooks Piercy Island (Motukokako) better known as the "Hole in the Rock". Cape Brett was named by Captain Cook in 1769 in honour of a Lord of the Admiralty, Rear-Admiral Sir Piercy Brett.

The site of New Zealand's first shipwreck, in 1808 the crew of the Paramatta had contracted with the local Maoris to load the schooner with cargo, but the crew didn't keep their word and threw the Maoris from the ship without payment and even shot at them wounding three. As the ship left the area for Sydney, Australia they encountered heavy weather and were blown ashore. Those of the crew who did not drown were massacred by the Maoris.

A lighthouse at Cape Brett was proposed in 1896 by the Nautical Advisor, but it still hadn't been erected by 1907 when the Secretary for the Marine pointed out that there was no light between Cape Maria van Diemen and Mokohinau Island and he described Cape Brett as "the most wanted light in the Colony". The Shipmasters' Association, however didn't agree and thought the light should be placed either on the Poor Knights Islands or Cavalli Island. The Marine Department dispatched Captain Bollons aboard the "Hinermoa" and he settled on the Cape Brett site.

Construction began in 1908 and the work was supervised by the Lighthouse Artificer, David Scott. The lighthouse site was situation in a remote area, far from any roads and 400 feet (149m) up a steep hill. First they constructed a landing pad of concrete at the base of the hill and mounted a crane to it. Next a tramway was built to winch the landed materials up to the building site. All the materials were landed by sea and winched up the hill.

The cast iron tower was constructed locally by Judd Engineering Works in Thames and Cape Brett was also the first of three lighthouses in New Zealand to float the rotating light on a bed of mercury. Previously lights had been supported by wheels. This enabled a heavier and brighter light could turn faster which meant more variation between the flashes at different stations. This new light was visible 20 miles and flashed twice every thirty seconds. Total approx cost of the lighthouse was £11.237 3s 5d. 

The first Head Keeper, Robert McIver and his assistant, Francis Ernest Lee lit the light on February 21, 1910.  

Three identical houses were built for the three keepers and their families and the light was connected to the outside world by telegraph. Supplies for the keepers were delivered by launch every two weeks and hauled up the tramway to the houses. The keepers were also responsible for sending daily weather reports to the New Zealand Meteorological Service.

In 1940 a signal station was established and manned by 2 navel reserves. By March of 1942 the navy had also established a radar station.

Originally a three keeper station, this was reduced to two in 1958 1, May 1955 2, when the kerosene lamp was converted to diesel powered generators. 

In 1968 3,1967 4 , thirty one power poles were erected along the cape to Rawhiti and lighthouse was connected to the national grid. Automation followed in 1978.

The light now shines from a 4 metre high fiberglass tower built in 1978 and is solar powered. 

In 2005, DOC took over the administration of the old lighthouse tower and buildings.

 

Sources

 Unknown

2 Peter Taylor, DOC

3 MSA website, 

DOC

 

The Cape Brett lighthouse has along with others been featured on New Zealand postal stamps issued by the Government Life Insurance Office. 

The lighthouse featured on the 1947 issue with a value of 1s. This was overprinted with 10 cents in 1967 when the country changed to decimal currency.

                 

 

 

http://100megsfree3.com/glaw/lighthouse/#map

http://stamps.nzpost.co.nz/Cultures/en-NZ/Stamps/StampsHistoricalIssues/1949+-+1940/Government+Life.htm

http://www.newzeal.com/theme/LH/lighthouses.htm

 

DIRECTIONS:

A tramping track begins at Oke Bay (Rawhiti), 26 km from Russell. The track is 20 km and takes about 8 hours. Accommodation is available in one of the original keepers houses and sleeps 12 people. DOC fees apply.

For information pick up Department Of Conservation's leaflet "Bay Of Island Walks". 

Alternately take the Fullers Hole in the Rock cruise. This is what I did and was able to get good views of the light.

 

Island North
Province Northland
Location Bay of Islands
Number K3709
Date Commissioned 21 February, 1910
Date Decommissioned Original tower replaced in 1978
Automated 6th October, 1978
Latitude 35° 10' South
Longitude 174° 20' East
Elevation Above Sea Level 149m
Height 14m
Character White light flashes every 30 seconds
Range 29 N. miles (31 km)
Made Judd Engineering Works, Thames, N.Z.
Construction Cast Iron, contains 3000 1 inch bolts
Converted Kerosene To Diesel 1958
Converted Diesel To Mains Electricity 1968
Wattage
Present Tower Not in use
Authority Owned and operated by Maritime Safety Authority
Date Visited 8 February, 2000
 

 

Head Keeper From To

 

Robert McIver 21 February, 1910  
George William Thwaites    
Henry Harvey    
Charles Riesop    
William Knight Cleverley    
Alfred Herbert Sanders    
Charles Arthur Moeller    
Robert Henry Leighton    
Albert Victor Pearce (also Assistant)    
Robert Stephen Wilson    
George Sinclair    
Percy Edwin White    
Joshua Stuart Roberts    
Hugh Barbour Jamieson    
Eric I Bowley    
Jack Sheppard    
Cecil Olsen    
Thomas Robert (Bob) Welch    
Ronald Downie    
James Hector Sutherland    
Kenneth Frank Valentine    
Raymond James Johnson    
Brian Frederick Mason    
Ronald Sears    
Peter John Rodda    
Noel Probestal   Oct 6 1978
     
     

 

Assistant Keeper (1st) From To

 

Francis (Frank) Ernest Lee 21 February, 1910  
Arthur W Page    
S. William Creamer 1912 1914
Donald Cameron    
Harold McKinna    
Thomas Cairns    
Charles William Davis    
Douglas James Grindlay    
Alfred Walter Young    
Erick Harold Tarlton    
Oscar D. McFarlane    
Reginald Shearwood    
Alfred E. Carter    
Alfred G. Hodge    
Ernest (EH) Sandley Graham    
W.J. Leighton    
Samuel Budd    
H.W. Gausel    
Charles E. Grey    
A. Pullen    
Charles C. Emmens    
Fleetwood R. Tennent    
Kenneth Webley    
William Tait    
Mawhataio Todd    
Robert J. Naulls    
Ray H. Batemen    
N. F. Jennings    
William Joseph Johnson    
L. Carlise    
Colin P. Gallop    
A. J. Wareing    
Rod McIntosh    
James R. J. Smith    
Jack Shepherd    
F. W. Roe    
J. H. Akula    
Michael W. Lloyd    
I. A. Harris    
Bryan M. Richards    
John R. Murray    
Bill Chee    
Barry Skinner    
Steve O'Neill    
Ron Allen    
J. Scapens    
    Oct 6 1978

   

 

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Text and photographs. Copyright © 1999-2009  Mark Phillips. All rights reserved.