St. David's Lighthouse

St. David's Lighthouse is an active 19th century lighthouse sited at the eastern end of St. David's Island on a hill overlooking the headland of St. David's in Bermuda. It is one of only two 'traditional lighthouses' in Bermuda, the other being Gibbs Hill Lighthouse at the south-western end of the main island, both lights are well known tourist attractions.[1]

St. David's Lighthouse
St. David's in 2010
St. David's Lighthouse
Bermuda
LocationSt. David's Island, Bermuda
Coordinates32.364°N 64.65166°W / 32.364; -64.65166
Year first constructed1879
Constructionlimestone tower
Tower shapeoctagonal tower with double balcony and lantern
Markings / patternwhite tower with a broad central red band, red trim
Tower height22 metres (72 ft)
Focal height65 metres (213 ft)
Range15 nmi (28 km)
CharacteristicFl (2) W 20s.
Admiralty numberJ4472
NGA number110-11616[1]

History
The tower in 2007

Construction started in 1876 and it became operational in 1879, it consists of an octagonal 22-metre-high (72 ft) tower of local limestone with two galleries and a lantern room. Originally painted white, it now has a distinctive red band daymark half-way up the tower. The original wick-type burner was replaced in the 1920s by a hood vapour kerosene unit.[2][3]

With a focal height of 65 metres (213 ft) above sea level, the main light can be seen for 15 nautical miles, and has a light characteristic of a flash of white light every two seconds. A second light at a slightly lower level, displays fixed red and green lights to mark offshore shoals.[4]

In 1940, the SS Pelinaion a Greek freighter en route from Africa to Baltimore which was oblivious to the fact that the lighthouses had been switched off due to the war, ran aground and broke in two on a reef to the east of St. David's Head. The sizeable wreck is now a popular dive site, with the boilers and triple-expansion steam engine still visible.[5]

The lighthouse is maintained by the Bermuda Department of Marine & Ports Services, and is registered under the international Admiralty number J4472 and has the NGA identifier of 110-11616.[1][4]

The lighthouse is open daily to visitors from May to September each year.[3]

See also

References
  1. Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Bermuda". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  2. "St. David's Lighthouse". Lighthouse Explorer. Lighthouse Digest. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  3. "The St. David's Lighthouse History". Bermudalighthouse.com. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  4. List of Lights, Pub. 110: Greenland, The East Coasts of North and South America (Excluding Continental U.S.A. Except the East Coast of Florida) and the West Indies (PDF). List of Lights. United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. 2016. p. 113.
  5. "Pelinaion". shipwreckexpo.com. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
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