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Cape Pembroke facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Cape Pembroke (Spanish: Cabo San Felipe) is the most eastern point of the Falkland Islands. It is located on East Falkland, which is one of the main islands. At Cape Pembroke, you will find an automated lighthouse that helps ships navigate safely around the coast.

The Cape Pembroke Lighthouse

Quick facts for kids
Cape Pembroke
Year first constructed 1855 (first)
Year first lit 1987 (current)
Deactivated 1982 (first)
Construction cast iron tower
Tower shape cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern
Markings / pattern black tower with a horizontal white band, black lantern
Height 18 metres (59 ft) (first)
Focal height 30 metres (98 ft) (current)
Original lens 3rd order Fresnel lens
Range 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi)

A lighthouse was first built at Cape Pembroke in 1855. It was 18 meters (about 59 feet) tall. Before the lighthouse, many ships had crashed near a dangerous rock called Billy Rock. There were only unlit markers there, which were not very helpful at night.

The lighthouse was rebuilt in 1906 and then updated in the 1990s. The first light used oil from rape seeds. This oil burned a lot, so people tried using sea lion oil instead. When the lighthouse was rebuilt in 1906, it started using paraffin (a type of fuel) and was powered by a clockwork system. After World War II, a more modern lighthouse was built nearby.

There used to be a small house for the lighthouse keepers at Cape Pembroke. Today, the lighthouse itself is a listed building. This means it is an important historical structure that is protected.

A Small Farm at Cape Pembroke

In the late 1800s, the Cape Pembroke area was home to a small farm. The government of the Falkland Islands rented this land to a man named James Smith from Stanley. There were not many small farms like this on the islands. James Smith strongly believed that land should be shared more fairly so that more people could have their own small farms.

Remembering the Atlantic Conveyor

In June 2007, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex visited Cape Pembroke. He helped to reveal a special memorial there. This memorial remembers the SS Atlantic Conveyor. This ship was a merchant vessel, meaning it usually carried goods. However, it was used by the British military during the Falklands Conflict in 1982.

During the conflict, the ship was attacked by Argentine planes. Explosions on board sadly killed 12 sailors. After the attack, the ship was being pulled by another vessel but it sank off the northeastern coast of the Falkland Islands. The memorial at Cape Pembroke helps people remember those who lost their lives.

Gallery

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Cabo San Felipe para niños

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