Moeraki (Katiki Point) (1878)
The port of Moeraki was established for the whale oil trade of the 1840's, but the trade declined and the port lost it's dominance to it's northern neighbour Oamaru thirty three kilometres away.
In 1876 the Marine Department decided to build a costal light at Katiki Point, south of Moeraki for the safety of the shipping trade between Port Chambers, Oamaru and Lyttelton. Also the farming community had increased port traffic in the area. The Oamaru authorities were put out over Moeraki being chosen as a costal light as they had hoped their own light would be upgraded. They were also ordered to change their harbour light from white to red which sealed it's fate of never being a costal light. See Cape Wanbrow
Construction of the lighthouse commenced in 1876 but was delayed by bad weather. Just before the light was to be lit a severe storm struck and shook the tower so violently the lamp glass broke. The lamp was replaced and the wooden tower had to be strengthened before the light was lit in April, 1878.
The Moeraki Port suffered a final blow when the feeder railway line was closed a year later. However the settlement remained making Moeraki one of the least isolated stations.
The station had two keepers each with their own two bedroom house.
By the 1970's there was only one keeper at the station and he was withdrawn in 1975.
Today the light is powered by mains electricity with a diesel generator backup. The original tower and lantern are still in use.
Stamp Web Sites
http://100megsfree3.com/glaw/lighthouse/
http://www.newzeal.com/theme/LH/lighthouses.htm
If anyone has any information on this light please contact me. thekiwimark@msn.com
Last Updated:
DIRECTIONS:
From Hwy 1, turn into the Moeraki township just south of the boulders. Just before the town, turn right onto Lighthouse Road. Drive 7km on a sealed/gravel road to the lighthouse.
| Island | South |
| Province | Otago |
| Location | Otago |
| Number | K4360 |
| Date Commissioned | 22 April, 1878 |
| Date Decommissioned | |
| Automated | 1975 |
| Latitude | 45° 24' South |
| Longitude | 170° 52' East |
| Elevation Above Sea Level | 52m +± 58m# |
| Height | 8m |
| Character | White isophase light flashes 6 seconds on, 6 seconds off. |
| Range | 18 N. miles (33 km) |
| Made | |
| Construction | White wooden tower |
| Converted Kerosene To Diesel | |
| Converted Diesel To Mains Electricity | |
| Wattage | |
| Present Tower | Original and original lens still in use. |
| Authority | |
| Date Visited | 2 January, 2000 |
+ Maritime Safety Board
± Leading Lights
# Land Information New Zealand
| Head Keeper | From | To |
| Andreas Fremming Stewart Sandager | Dec 1893 | July 1894 |
| Assistant Keeper (1st) | From | To |
| John Frederick Rayner | Feb 2 1878 (Lit April 22 1878) | Aug 1882 also reported Jul 1 1882 |
| Andreas Fremming Stewart Sandager | Feb 1889 | Dec 1893 (promoted to Principal Keeper) |
Additional Sources:
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Text and photographs. Copyright © 1999-2009 Mark Phillips. All rights reserved.