NEW ZEALAND LIGHTHOUSES

Somes Island (1866)

Views from Cook Strait ferry.

Lighthouse on Somes Island, Wellington

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mätauraga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

Lighthouse on Somes Island, Wellington.

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mätauraga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

Matiu Island in Wellington Harbour was probably named by the Maori explorer Kupe. European settlers renamed the island Somes after Joseph Somes of The New Zealand Company. The island was used by the company as a quarantine station from the 1870's. 

After Pencarrow lighthouse was constructed in 1859, it became necessary to add another lighthouse within Wellington harbour and Somes Island was chosen.

The lighthouse was first lit on 17 February, 1866. It was similar to Pencarrow, a octagonal cast iron tower, standing 14 feet tall.  The tower and lantern were imported from Britain. At the time it was one of only eight lighthouses around the country and was the first inner harbour light. The light was a fixed white beam that shone down the harbour channel with green or red light to either side. Colza (rapeseed) oil was used until about 1878, then paraffin oil (kerosene) was used.

By 1895 it was found that a more powerful light was needed. This would require a new tower and lighting equipment. The new and present tower, entering service on 21 February, 1900, is round and constructed of brick. The old tower was demolished. 

The light station was a two keeper station until 1924 when the keepers were withdrawn and the light automated. The keepers lived with their families in a six room cottage next to the lighthouse. The cottage and out buildings have since been torn down. Supplies were landed in the bay and hauled up a tramway to the light. An incandescent burner, which vaporized oil under pressure was installed during the 1910's. In 1924 the light was converted to use acetone acetylene as a fuel and was automated. The light was converted to electricity after Word War Two.

The Wellington Provincial Government was responsible for the lighthouse until 1874 when The Marine Department took control. In 1923 the responsibility was transferred to the Wellington Harbour Board. The light which is still operational is now run by the Wellington Regional Council.

If anyone has any information on this light please contact me. kiwimark@comcast.net

DIRECTIONS:

The light is viewable from Wellington Harbour. The island is a nature reserve and a harbour ferry visits daily. 

Text and photographs. Copyright © 1999-2005 Mark Phillips. All rights reserved.