NEW ZEALAND LIGHTHOUSES

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

¹  Unknown

² Peter Taylor, DOC

³ MSA website, 

⁴ 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.

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