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Cornwallis Lodge |
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34048.814S 20 01.726E
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In December 1848, the Commercial Advertiser newspaper described the lighting apparatus in vivid detail, at that stage it was the most advanced light of its kind operational in South Africa, although strange as it might seem by modern day standards, the burner which consisted of four wicks was fuelled by oil obtained from the melting of sheep's tail-fat On the 15 December 1848 a notice was published stating that the light would be first lit on the 1 March 1849, accompanying this notice was a comprehensive " General Sailing" guide by the Astronomer royal at the Cape, Thomas MacLear, giving precise distances when rounding the Cape to avoid running aground. On 25 January 1905 H C Cooper installed a new incandescent burner, replacing the tail-fat burner with an oil burner increasing the beam intensity from 4,500 to 18,000 c.c. this had a remarkable effect on the surrounding veldt, much as the same effect that the lights illuminating Table Mountain do, where the veldt grows twice as quickly with its increased daylight hours. It also attracted flying insects. " During the night an intrepid beetle visited the lighthouse and flying straight into the mantle met an untimely death by cremation without even leaving his ashes as a memento. A gauze is being fitted to the ventilator to warn similar adventurers" A further improvement was made on 5 February 1908 when the burners were altered to use white rose oil. In 1906 a lighthouse commission made inter alia, the following observations. 1. That the existing light reached the required distance of 17½ miles only on the clearest of days. 2. That the drift sand at the back of the lighthouse obscured vision when the wind blew, this was overcome by the planting of maram and other stabilising grasses, first planted in 1905 and completed in 1921. 3. The affect of a sea-spray obscuring the beam during stormy weather. This was not the case. 4. That a higher site at a point known as Northumberland Mountain standing 455 feet above sea level would be more suitable. This was turned down as at Cape Point due to its higher elevation it was often covered in fog and a number of other lighthouses had to be re-sited due to similar problems. Eventually they decided to erect a light of over 400,000 c.d. on a steel tower alongside the existing one with a focal length of 180° flashing every 21/2 seconds. The estimated cost of this scheme was 10,000 Pounds, which included the tower, lighting apparatus and lantern. This scheme presented by H C Cooper, was turned down as being too expensive, opting for the retention of the existing tower and lantern, with introduction of a first-order flashing light, the new apparatus was supplied and fitted and operational in March 1910 from the time the order for the new optic was placed with Chance Brothers in England, its manufacture, shipment to Cape Town and then to Agulhas by ox-wagon, its erection on site by Cooper, the lighthouse keeper, assistants and a handful of labourers took a mere 9 months a remarkable feat. This was acknowledged by the report recorded in the official visitors book of 10 March 1910. " New light erected despite the many surrounding difficulties redounding to the credit of the engineer in charge, supported by a small but efficient staff. The workmanship in this erection is a masterpiece and will serve as a lasting memento of a capable officer and engineer in the Lighthouse Service of the Public Works Department" Cooper installed a change Brothers petroleum vapour burner in 1921, and it was during this visit that he had the unfortunate experience of seeing his motorcar destroyed by lightning. The incident was recorded by the Cape times newspaper. " He put it (his motor car) in a shed belonging to the lighthouse, and after a glance around was about approaching the car to examine if when a flash of lightning came through the doorway and struck the car, igniting the petrol, with the result that the car and the whole place burst into flames, and in five minutes the place was gutted and the roof was down on top of the charred remains of what had once been natty car." In 1935 a new building was built at the base of the southern side of the tower to house the diesel generating plant and for the erection of a radio beacon which was installed in 1939, code signal ZUY. Switched on in 1936 the new 4 kW electric lamp had a capacity of 12,000,000 candlepower. This alleviated much of the work, which had to be done by the two light-keepers, who until then had to keep shift throughout the night in the lantern. A daytime observation platform was also built, as strangely enough the entrance faced away from the seaward side. It was in 1960 after an inspection by the Civil Engineering department was taken, that the limestone structure, due to excessive weathering would have to be replaced. Although it was in no immediate danger, demolition seemed the only answer. Routine examination in 1962 showed that the limestone of the building had deteriorated to such an extent that there was a danger of the building collapsing. The estimated costs for restoration were high and it was decided to place the light on an alumium tower. In 1968 the lighthouse stopped working after 119 years of service. In 1973 the lighthouse buidling was declared a national Monument and restoration work began in 1983. On the 25th March 1988 the lighthouse was again taken into service. Deputations' from interested parties and the Member of Parliament for Bredasdorp were sent to the minister of parliament requesting that local organizations take over the responsibility of the maintenance and running of the lighthouse, this was agreed to on 1st May 1971. The structure was declared a national monument on the 2nd March 1973. Finally after many proposals and changes of plans between officials of the transport Services and the local council agreement was finally reached in the early 1980's, whereby the Lighthouse Department restored the workings of the lighthouse, and the local council restored the tower, replacing badly worn blocks with newly quarried ones. Finally on the 25 march 1988, the building was reopened. A ceremony was held at which the Deputy Minister of Transport, Mr. Myburgh Streicher, recommissioned the light. The Lighthouse now serving the dual purpose of lighthouse museum as well as its original function. Mainline electricity was only connected early in 1987. The museum has over the last decade become a popular destination point for visitors to the Cape, both local and overseas. It's interesting to note that in the USA lighthouses are revered in the same way as the British do their Castles. Second oldest working lighthouse in South Africa. Erected in 1848 and restored in 1988 to original plan. Built in Pharos style. Restaurant and Lighthouse museum.
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