Karori Rock (1915)
Photo courtesy Troy Arkley.
Photo taken in November 2008 from Tongue Point.
Google has a satellite view.
Situated on rocks at the west side of the Wellington Harbour heads in Cook Strait. This automatic light marks Cape Terawhiti.
After the loss of the Steamer Penguin in Feb, 1909 a light was planned for Karori Rock. 19 There was some debate between mariners and the Government Nautical Advisor of the position of the light, some said it should be placed on Cape Terawhiti, others said Tongue Point. After a inspection on board the Hinemoa on the 10th December 1912 by the Minister of Marine (Hon. F. M. B. Fisher), the Under Secretary for Marine (Mr. G Allport), the Nautical Advisor to the Government (Captain Blackburne), the Engineer in Chief, (R.W. Holmes), and Captain Bollons, Captain of the Hinemoa it was decided to build the light on Karori Rock. f
Karori Rock is about 400 sq feet, about 25 feet above sea level and during southerly winds is continuously covered in spray. d
Construction commenced in June, 1913 a and it was another difficult light to build as there was only room on the rock for 6 men to work. The rock had to be filled with a concrete foundation which could only happen in calm weather, often tools and newly poured concrete were washed away by southerly swells. 19 The work was supervised by the Marine Department lighthouse superintendent Mr. Frazer. b d and the job foreman was Mt Johnson. d
A concrete mixer and a small jetty were erected on the mainland and a small launch was used to transport the mixed concrete out to the site. The concrete was poured into drums, and about 3/4 cubic yard contained in ten drums could be transported at one time. A small crane was used to winch the drums off the launch and pour the concrete on site. About 8 cubic yards could be poured on a good day. d
To build the foundation, holes had to be drilled in the rock for the reinforcing rods and bolts to hold the wooden framework for the concrete. Even using 1 inch bolts, this whole framework was washed away once by heavy seas. The tower is of cylindrical shape and is 20 feet by 10 feet, while at the top it is 15 feet by 10 feet. The tower rises 39 ft. The tower was deliberately built with three sides vertical and one side on an angle with steps formed in the concrete and a metal ladder attached. On the top of the tower the lantern room was erected, along with a small crane and this was enclosed by a parapet. The lantern room measured 10 feet to the focal plane, 15 feet overall, giving the light a total height of 79 feet. d
The light apparatus known as a Aga lantern d, was imported from Sweden b and the light was a 500mm drum lens b using Acetone acetylene to fuel the light and was operated by a sun dial. c Displaying 2790 candlepower, the light had a character of 1/2 second every 3 1/2 seconds c
The lighthouse tender Hinemoa was used to land equipment and stores. c Fresh meat and bread were packed in on horseback from Makara. c
The light was first lit on October 20, 1915. c It was reported to be 65 feet high at that time. c
The lighthouse was serviced by lighthouse tenders with the gas cylinders being changed regularly, however due to bad swells it was difficult to service.
In May 1996 it was replaced with a new Vega 250 flashing beacon on the mainland at Tongue Point. The original Karori Rock lens still remains in the tower. e
DIRECTIONS:
Viewable from Cook Strait ferry.
It is possible to walk round to Tongue Point. From a car park at the end of Owhiro Bay Parade, continue around the coastline from the end of Pariwhero at Sinclair Head. Details on walking track
| Island | North |
| Province | Wellington |
| Location | Wellington Harbour Heads |
| Number | K4062 |
| Date Commissioned | October 20, 1915 19 |
| Date Decommissioned | 1996 |
| Automated | 1915 19 |
| Latitude | 41º 21' 19 |
| Longitude | 174º 39 19 |
| Elevation Above Sea Level | 20 m (65 ft) 19 c |
| Height | 17m 19 |
| Character | .5 second white and red flash every 4 seconds 19 |
| Range | 9 miles (white) 7 miles (red) 19 |
| Made | On site 19 |
| Construction | Concrete tower 19 |
| Converted Kerosene To Diesel | |
| Converted Diesel To Mains Electricity | |
| Wattage | |
| Present Tower | Not used |
| Authority | Owned & operated by Maritime New Zealand |
| Date Visited | 21 January, 2000 |
Additional Sources:
a. Grey River Argus , 3 June 1913, Page 5
b. Grey River Argus , 9 May 1913, Page 5
c. Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 96, 21 October 1915, Page 8
d. Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 43, 20 February 1915, Page 3
e. Paul W. Shirley
f. Evening Post, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 141, 11 December 1913, Page 3
Text and photographs. Copyright © 1999-2011 Mark Phillips. All rights reserved.
If anyone has any information on this light please contact me. thekiwimark@msn.com
Last Updated: October 3, 2010
