The Brothers (1877)
Photo courtesy of MSA.
Built in 1877, The Brothers lighthouse on the western side of Cook Strait replaced the light on Mana Island which had been moved after being confused with Pencarrow lighthouse.
Due to poor weather it took sixty days for the men and their building supplies to be landed on the rock so work could begin on constructing the tower. And during the construction the winds were so strong it was decided to fill the space in the walls with rocks to strengthen the wooden tower.
As the island has no soil or drinking water all supplies had to be shipped in. So a crane was used to winch a basket carrying the supplies and keepers from the deck of the supply ships to the rock. This was a hazardous process therefore the station was restricted to single men and was staffed in the later years by a roster of relieving keepers.
The light was one of the last to be automated in July 1990.
DIRECTIONS:
Inaccessible to the public.
Distant views can be obtained on a clear day from the Cook Strait ferry.
| Island | South |
| Province | Marlborough |
| Location | Cook Strait |
| Number | K4246 |
| Date Commissioned | September, 1877 |
| Date Decommissioned | |
| Automated | July 1990 |
| Latitude | 41° 06' South |
| Longitude | 174° 26' East |
| Elevation Above Sea Level | 79m |
| Height | 12m |
| Character | White light flashes once every 10 seconds. Red sector over rocks. |
| Range | 26 N. miles (48 km) |
| Made | Built on site |
| Construction | White wooden tower |
| Converted Kerosene To Diesel | 1954 |
| Converted Diesel To Mains Electricity | |
| Wattage | |
| Present Tower | Original |
| Authority | |
| Date Visited |
| Head Keeper | From | To |
| James Nelson | December, 1879 | |
| Assistant Keeper (1st) | From | To |
| Patrick Henagham | ||
