I decided to keep with the vertical stripes theme this week, but this time the stripes are red. The lighthouse this week is the Mersey Bluff Lighthouse, on the bluff that extends out of Devenport, Tasmania into the Bass Strait, pointing generally toward Australia. This map link shows the location within the full context of Tasmania. If you zoom in, you'll see that the intent of this lighthouse was to guide mariners around the bluff and to the Mersey River.
I acquired the information below from the Seaside Lights Web site page on this lighthouse.
"Work on the lighthouse started on October 16 1888, and was completed almost 12 months later on May 28 1889. The original Chance Bros. 4th order dioptric lens was first lit on 2nd August 1889, and used kerosene. The first lighthouse keeper was Mr W. Jacques, transferred from Swan Island. A second house was later built for the assistant keeper.
In 1920, it was converted to automatic acetylene gas operation and was de-manned. The keepers' houses were let to local tenants until they were demolished in 1966.
The Lighthouse was converted to hydro electricity with gas standby in 1952, and a 2nd order (700mm) fixed lens was installed. In 1978 it was further converted to all electric operation."
This page also says the stripes were painted on the tower in 1929.
According to the Lighthouse Directory, the tower is 16 meters tall.
Below are the pictures; there are many, as it has easy access.
This final beautiful shot is from Chilby Photography.
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