Goods Island Light

Goods Island Light is an active lighthouse located on the highest point of Goods Island (Palilag), an island in the Torres Strait, belonging to Queensland, Australia. It serves as the rear light of the Goods Island Range,[3] pointing out the entrance to Normanby Sound.[4]

Goods Island Light

An aerial view of Goods Island Lightstation, 1999
Queensland
Location	Goods Island Queensland Australia
Coordinates	10°33′54.6″S 142°09′07.08″E
Year first constructed	1886
Automated	1973
Foundation	concrete tower
Construction	timber frame clad with corrugated iron
Tower shape	cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern
Markings / pattern	white tower, red lantern dome
Tower height	18 feet (5.5 m)[1]
Focal height	345 feet (105 m)[2]
Original lens	4th Order dioptric
Light source	solar power
Range	11 nautical miles (20 km; 13 mi)
Characteristic	Q W
Admiralty number	K3270.1
NGA number	111-9628
ARLHS number	AUS-232
Managing agent	Australian Maritime Safety Authority
Heritage	listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List

History

The first navigation aid on Goods Island was a signalling station, established in 1877. In 1882 pearl fishers operating in Torres Strait requested that a light be established at the western entrance to the straight. Their request was accepted by George Heath, chairman of the Queensland Marine Board, who dictated the location of Goods Island. A temporary light installed on the signalman's quarters was finally replaced by the lighthouse, constructed in 1886.[4] It was the third in a group of eight lighthouses in Queensland made of hardwood frame clad with corrugated iron, which includes, in order of establishment Little Sea Hill Light, Grassy Hill Light, itself, Bay Rock Light, Old Caloundra Light, North Point Hummock Light (demolished), Gatcombe Head Light (demolished) and Bulwer Island Light.[5] The lighthouse was constructed entirely by government workers, rather than a private contractor, and it is believed to be unique in this sense among Queensland lighthouses. The original apparatus was a fourth order dioptric with a totally reflecting glass mirror.[4]

In 1894 telegraphic communication with Thursday Island was established. Following the Federation of Australia, the station was transferred to the hands of the Commonwealth of Australia.[4]

Goods Island Light, ca. 1909

During World War II the island was taken over by the Royal Australian Navy which constructed defensive batteries around the island.[4]

In 1973 the lighthouse was automated. In 1988 it was transferred to solar power.[4]

Structure

The lighthouse is about 18-foot (5.5 m)[1] high. It is conical in shape, made of hardwood frame clad with white painted corrugated iron. It is topped by a red zinc done. Access to the tower is through concrete steps and a small corrugated iron entryway with a convex corrugated iron roof.[4]

Also part of the station is the front light, a 7 feet (2.1 m) white hut[3] on a rock platform below.[4] The lighthouse is located 505 meters at 199° from this front light.[3]

Also in the premises are a timber storage shed a timber fibro-cement clad lighthouse keeper's cottage,[4] now in ruins.[6] Both of them are white with green painted galvanized iron roofs.[4]

Display

The light characteristic shown is a quick-flashing white light (Q.W.), visible 064°-238° and 290°-295° for 11 nautical miles (20 km; 13 mi).[3]

The front light shows white and red flashes every two and a half seconds (Fl.W.R. 2.5s). The red flashes are visible 085°-180° for 7 nautical miles (13 km; 8.1 mi). The white flashes are visible at 180°-085° for 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi). The front light is obscured by Hammond Island and by Goods Islands itself.[3]

Operation and access

The site and the light are managed and operated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. The island is accessible only by boat, and both the site and the tower are closed to the public.[6]

See also

• List of lighthouses in Australia

Notes

1. List of Lights, agreeing with AHD101518 that says "five metre". Rowlett lists "Approx 10 metres (33 ft)"
2. List of Lights. AHD101518 lists 115 metres.
3. List of Lights
4. AHD101518.
5. CHIMS31351. sfn error: no target: CITEREFCHIMS31351 (help)
6. Rowlett.

References

• List of Lights, Pub. 111: The West Coasts of North and South America (Excluding Continental U.S.A. and Hawaii), Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, and the Islands of the North and South Pacific Oceans (PDF). List of Lights. United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. 2009. p. 189.
• Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Australia: Far North Queensland". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
• "Caloundra Lighthouses (entry 602746)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
• "Goods Island Lighthouse, Thursday Island Town, QLD, Australia (Place ID 101518)". Australian Heritage Database. Department of the Environment.
• "Goods Island Lighthouse, Thursday Island Town, QLD, Australia (Place ID 105458)". Australian Heritage Database. Department of the Environment., seems to use almost identical text as the above.

External links

• "List of Lighthouses of Queensland". Lighthouses of Australia. Lighthouses of Australia Inc.
• Searle, Garry. "List of Lighthouses - Queensland". Lighthouses of Australia. SeaSide Lights.