Portland Island (1877)
Photo (2006) Photo (2000)
New replacement lighthouse at Portland Island Photo courtesy of MSA.
The original wooden lighthouse at Portland Island is now situated in the town centre of Wairoa.
Designed by Marine Engineer, John Blackett and operated from 1877 (plaque) 1878 (Leading Lights) the wooden tower was on Portland Island off the Mahia Peninsula. When it was noted the structure was rotting a new light on a steel tower was built in 1955 (Leading Lights) and the old light decommissioned in 1958 (Plaque).
Portland Island was the last light to use a kerosene powered lamp and a clockwork mechanism. It wasn't until 1955 that diesel powered generators were installed to run the light on electricity. 4
The old lighthouse was moved to Wairoa in 1961.
Note: I have found conflicting dates in the history of this lighthouse. Sources are in brackets.
DIRECTIONS:
Located on Marine Parade in Wairoa.
| Island | North |
| Province | Eastland |
| Location | Original tower in Wairoa |
| Number | K3970 |
| Date Commissioned | 1877 (1878) |
| Date Decommissioned | 1958 (1955) ???? |
| Automated | 1982 |
| Latitude | 39° 18' South |
| Longitude | 177° 52' South |
| Elevation Above Sea Level | 97m |
| Height | 8.5m 8 m* |
| Character | Flashes white, red, green in sectors every 15 seconds* |
| Range | 8 beams up to 50km 9 N. miles* |
| Made | |
| Construction | Wooden (Kauri) White square tower* |
| Converted Kerosene To Diesel | |
| Converted Diesel To Mains Electricity | |
| Wattage | |
| Present Tower | Not original |
| Authority | Owned and operated by Maritime Safety Authority |
| Date Visited | 25 January, 2000 |
* Present tower.
| Head Keeper | From | To |
| 1877/78 | ||
| Nick Sciascia | March 1898 (Killed by station bull) | |
| Assistant Keeper (1st) | From | To |
| 1877/78 | ||
| John Frederick Rayner | Aug 1882 | Dec 1883 |
| William Hebden Bennet | Feb 1885 | May 1887 |
Additional Sources:
a.
b.
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:
