Sandy Cape Light, 2007
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Queensland
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Location |
Sandy Cape Queensland Australia |
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Coordinates | 24°43′47.9″S 153°12′31.18″E / 24.729972°S 153.2086611°ECoordinates: 24°43′47.9″S 153°12′31.18″E / 24.729972°S 153.2086611°E |
Year first constructed | 1870 |
Foundation | concrete |
Construction | cast iron |
Tower shape | conical frustum tower with balcony and lantern |
Markings / pattern | white tower and lantern, red lantern dome |
Height | 85 feet (26 m) |
Focal height | 421 feet (128 m) |
Original lens | first order Chance Brothers |
Current lens | VRB-25 |
Light source | solar power |
Intensity | 160,000 cd |
Range | 21 nautical miles (39 km; 24 mi) |
Characteristic | Fl W 10s. |
Admiralty number | K2932 |
NGA number | 111-10488 |
ARLHS number | AUS-148 |
Managing agent | Australian Maritime Safety Authority |
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Sandy Cape Light is a heritage-listed active lighthouse located on Sandy Cape, the most northern point on Fraser Island, Queensland, Australia. It stands about 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) southwest of the northeastern tip of the island. It is the tallest lighthouse in Queensland. Built in 1870, it is the second major lighthouse to be built in Queensland after its formation in 1859. It is one of the first lighthouses in Australia to be constructed using bolted prefabricated segments of cast iron, and one of only two such lighthouses in Queensland, the other being its sibling, Bustard Head Light.
The Government of Queensland was formed in 1859. In 1862, the Queensland government appointed the first Portmaster, Commander George Poynter Heath. However, it was only in 1864 that two committees were appointed to deal with the issue of coastal lighthouses. The only location for which both committees were in clear agreement about the need of a lighthouse was Sandy Cape. The site was also strongly recommended by Joseph Brady, Queensland Engineer for Harbours and Rivers of the time, on a tour of inspection he did in 1865. An order for the prefabricated tower was placed with Kitson & Co. of Leeds, England, the design being done by William Pole of Kitson & Co. The lantern and apparatus were ordered from Chance Brothers of Birmingham, England, and by 1867 all the materials have arrived at Brisbane. The winning tender for the construction of the tower was of £4524 by the brothers John and Jacob Rooney of Maryborough, Sandy Cape Light being the first of several lighthouses they constructed, to be followed by Cape Bowling Green Light, Cowan Cowan Point Light, Cape Capricorn Light, Lady Elliot Island Light and Booby Island Light.