Cape St. Mary's facts for kids
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| Cape St. Mary's Lighthouse | |
| Location | Cape St. Mary's Avalon Peninsula Newfoundland Canada |
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| Coordinates | 46°49′23.0″N 54°11′45.9″W / 46.823056°N 54.196083°W |
| Year first constructed | 1860 |
| Foundation | concrete base |
| Construction | cast iron encased in concrete tower |
| Tower shape | octagonal frustum tower with balcony and lantern |
| Markings / pattern | white tower, grey metallic lantern |
| Height | 11.5 metres (38 ft) |
| Focal height | 119 metres (390 ft) |
| Range | 21 nautical miles (39 km; 24 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 5s. |
| Fog signal | 1 blast every 30s. |
| Admiralty number | H0432 |
| CHS number | CCG 14 |
| NGA number | 1952 |
| ARLHS number | CAN-721 |
Cape St. Mary's is a famous piece of land in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It sits at the very southern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. This cape is well-known for its stunning cliffs and amazing wildlife.
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What Makes Cape St. Mary's Special?
Cape St. Mary's is one of the most famous capes in its province. Many people know about it because it has been mentioned in songs and stories. One popular folk song, "Let Me Fish Off Cape St. Mary's," was written by Otto P. Kelland. This song shows how important the cape is to the local culture.
The Lighthouse at Cape St. Mary's
A lighthouse stands tall at Cape St. Mary's. It was built in 1860. The lighthouse helps ships find their way safely along the coast. It has a white tower and a grey top. The light shines every 5 seconds. It also has a fog signal that blasts every 30 seconds to warn ships in foggy weather.
How the Lighthouse Works
The lighthouse is 11.5 meters (about 38 feet) tall. Its light can be seen from 21 nautical miles away. Today, the lighthouse uses solar power to work. This means it gets its energy from the sun. The light sits 119 meters (about 390 feet) above the water.
Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve
East of Cape St. Mary's is the Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve. This special area is a wildlife reserve. It protects many different kinds of birds and other animals. It is a very important place for nature.
Protecting the Reserve
The Friends of Cape St. Mary's is a group that helps the reserve. They are a non-profit organization. Their goal is to share the amazing nature and history of the ecological reserve with others. They help people learn about the birds and the beautiful scenery.
Bird Watching at the Reserve
The reserve is famous for its large colonies of seabirds. Thousands of birds gather here, especially during nesting season. You can see birds like gannets, murres, and kittiwakes. It is one of the best places in North America to watch seabirds. The cliffs provide a safe home for these birds.
