Cape Cleveland Light facts for kids
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| Cape Cleveland Light at dusk, 2008 | |
 Cape Cleveland Light
Location in Queensland
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| Location | Townsville Queensland Australia |
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| Coordinates | 19°10′58.3″S 147°00′55.7″E / 19.182861°S 147.015472°E |
| Year first constructed | 1879 |
| Automated | 1987 |
| Construction | timber frame clad with galvanized iron |
| Tower shape | tapered cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern |
| Markings / pattern | white tower, red lantern dome |
| Height | 36 feet (11 m) |
| Focal height | 210 feet (64 m) |
| Current lens | VRB-25 |
| Intensity | white: 48,430 cd red: 10,170 cd |
| Range | white: 15 nmi (28 km; 17 mi) red: 12 nmi (22 km; 14 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl WR 7.5s. |
| Admiralty number | K3092.1 |
| NGA number | 111-10096 |
| ARLHS number | AUS-027 |
The Cape Cleveland Light is an important heritage-listed (meaning it's a protected historical building) lighthouse. It stands on the northern tip of Cape Cleveland. This cape is a piece of land that sticks out into the Coral Sea. It's located west of Cleveland Bay. The lighthouse is about 40 kilometres (25 mi) east of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. This lighthouse helps guide ships safely. It marks the northernmost point of the Cape. It also shows the way into Cleveland Bay.
Contents
Building the Lighthouse
Captain James Cook named Cape Cleveland in 1770. He might have named it after John Clevland. John Clevland was a secretary for the navy at that time. Or, he might have named it after Cleveland, England, where Cook was born.
Townsville became a major port in 1865. Because of this, a lighthouse was needed at Cape Cleveland. This lighthouse was planned along with the Dent Island Light. Commander George Poynter Heath suggested building both lighthouses in 1878. The government approved the plans in April 1878.
Companies were invited to bid on building the lighthouses. W. P. Clark won the contracts. He had built other lighthouses before. But due to some problems, John Clark and James Wiseman took over. They finished building both lighthouse stations in December 1879. Each station included a lighthouse and two homes for the keepers.
F.D.G. Stanley, the main government architect in Queensland, designed the lighthouse. It was the 13th lighthouse built by the Queensland government. It was built in a special Queensland style. This style used a timber frame covered with metal sheets. The lighthouse was originally a "rear light" too. This meant it worked with another light to show a safe path. But this second purpose was later stopped.
The light used a clockwork system with weights. Lighthouse keepers had to wind it up often. Because the tower was only 36 feet (11 m) tall, they had to wind it every 75 minutes. This was very hard work for the keepers.
Changes Over Time
A telephone line was added to Townsville in 1924. In 1926, the light source was changed. It became an acetylene gas lamp. This new light was much brighter.
During World War II, the lighthouse was very important. It became an observation post. Soldiers watched for enemy ships because Townsville was a big allied base. They built an observation platform, a radar hut, and a power station. Today, only the ruins of these buildings remain.
In 1953, the two homes for the keepers were replaced. Other small buildings were also updated. The light's lens was changed again in 1956. In the 1980s, a new power house was built.
On September 19, 1987, the lighthouse started using solar power. This meant it no longer needed people to operate it. In December 1987, the lighthouse keepers left. The solar power system was updated again in 1994.
How the Light Works Now
The lighthouse now flashes every 7.5 seconds. The light can be red or white. This depends on which direction you are looking from. White flashes are very bright. They can be seen for about 15 nautical miles (28 km; 17 mi) (nautical miles). Red flashes are a bit less bright. They can be seen for about 12 nautical miles (22 km; 14 mi). The red light helps warn ships about Four Foot Rock. If you are not in these specific directions, the light cannot be seen.
The lighthouse uses a special turning device called a VRB-25. It spins at 1.333 times per minute. The light itself comes from a 12-volt, 35-watt Halogen lamp.
Buildings at the Lighthouse Station
The buildings at Cape Cleveland Light are not in a straight line. They are built to fit the shape of the land. The station includes the lighthouse, two homes, and other smaller buildings.
The Lighthouse and Homes
The lighthouse tower is round. It is 6.7 metres (22 ft) tall from its base to the top lantern. Inside, it has a timber frame. The outside is covered with metal plates, painted white. The very top has an iron lantern room with a copper dome, painted red. A balcony goes around the lantern room. It has simple iron railings. The lighthouse's solar panels are on this balcony.
The two homes were built in 1953. They have timber frames and are covered with timber boards. They are painted pale green, white, and dark green. Their roofs are made of corrugated cement. The homes have timber doors and windows. They are built on concrete supports. Over the years, these homes have become quite old and worn.
Other Buildings
There are other buildings at the station. These include an old and a new power house, a garage, and a workshop. There is also a helipad for helicopters and a flagpole. Large rainwater tanks collect water. There's a solar power system for hot water. Weather equipment is kept in a special box called a Stevenson screen. You can also see parts of an old tramway and a winch house. These were used for a "flying fox" (a type of cable car) that is no longer there. The concrete bases of the World War II observation post and radar hut are also still there. All these buildings are in a somewhat damaged condition.
The old World War II power house looks like a bunker. It is made of reinforced concrete. It has a small part that was once used as a chicken coop. The main roof is covered with asphalt. The smaller part has a sloped metal roof. The garage and workshop are made of timber and covered with cement sheets. They have sloped roofs and timber doors and windows.
Visiting the Lighthouse
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority manages both the lighthouse and the land around it. The area is not open to the public. You can only reach the site by boat or helicopter.
Historical Importance
The Cape Cleveland Light was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on November 9, 1998. This means it is recognized as an important historical site in Queensland.
