Point King Lighthouse facts for kids
 Point King Lighthouse
Location in Western Australia
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| Location | Princess Royal Harbour, Albany, Western Australia |
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| Coordinates | 35°02′06.1″S 117°55′05.7″E / 35.035028°S 117.918250°E |
| Year first constructed | 1858 (first) |
| Year first lit | 1911 (second) |
| Automated | 1913 |
| Deactivated | 1911 (first) |
| Construction | wooden tower (first) skeletal tower (second) steel (current) |
| Tower shape | cylindrical tower with balcony and beacon (current) |
| Markings / pattern | white tower |
| Height | 9 metres (30 ft) |
| Focal height | 42 metres (138 ft) |
| Range | 12 nautical miles (22 km; 14 mi) |
| Characteristic | FI W 3s |
| Admiralty number | K1802 |
| NGA number | 8840 |
| ARLHS number | AUS-279 |
The Point King Lighthouse was an important lighthouse in Albany, a city in Western Australia. It stood at the northern entrance of Princess Royal Harbour. This lighthouse was the very first light to guide ships into the Port of Albany. It was also only the second lighthouse ever built along the coast of Western Australia.
Contents
History of the Lighthouse
Why it was Built
After the Crimean War ended in 1856, people expected that profitable mail boat services would return. These boats traveled from England, through Albany, to the eastern parts of Australia. Because of this, a lighthouse was needed to help ships safely enter the harbour.
In 1857, the British Government suggested building two lighthouses. One would be on Breaksea Island and the other at Point King. They agreed to build them if the local government paid for their running costs.
Construction and First Light
Building work started soon after this agreement. The parts for the lights, which were made beforehand, arrived in June 1857. The whole project was finished later that year.
The Point King Lighthouse began working on New Year's Day in 1858. William Hill was hired as the first light keeper.
The Original Lighthouse Building
The first lighthouse had the keeper's house located about 47 feet (14 meters) above the high water mark. This was on a granite point. The building included a square wooden tower that was 17 feet (5 meters) tall.
Inside the tower, there was an oil-fired light. This light could be seen from about 12 miles (19 kilometers) away. The light keeper had to operate the light by hand and lived in the same building as the tower.
End of Service
The Point King Lighthouse was no longer needed in June 1911. The building was left empty for many years. Over time, its roof and tower were lost.
In 1995, a plan was made to protect the old ruins. However, by 1999, no work had been done. In 2011, the Albany City Council set aside $20,000 to help make the ruins stable.
Light Keepers
A light keeper was a person who lived at the lighthouse and made sure the light was working properly to guide ships.
- Joseph Nelson (1857–1867)
- Samuel Mitchell (1867–1903)
- John Reddin (1903–1911)
Images for kids
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Lighthouse in 2008
