Dassen Island Lighthouse

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Dassen Island Lighthouse
Dassen Island and lighthouse, 9km off the coast of Yzerfontein. Lighthouse is 28m, circular iron tower with white and red bands. 1893. 02.JPG
Dassen Island and lighthouse, 9 km (6 mi) off the coast of Yzerfontein
Dassen Island Lighthouse
LocationYzerfontein
Western Cape
South Africa
Coordinates 33°25′57.13″S18°05′20.72″E / 33.4325361°S 18.0890889°E / -33.4325361; 18.0890889 Coordinates: 33°25′57.13″S18°05′20.72″E / 33.4325361°S 18.0890889°E / -33.4325361; 18.0890889
Tower
Constructed1893
ConstructionCast-iron tower
Height29 metres (95 ft)
ShapeCircular prism tower with balcony and lantern
MarkingsWhite tower, red bands
Power sourcemains electricity  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Light
First lit15 April 1893  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Focal height47 metres (154 ft)
Intensity1,400,000 cd
Range24 nautical miles (44 km; 28 mi)
Characteristic Fl(2) W 30s  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

Dassen Island Lighthouse is a lighthouse situated on Dassen Island, west of Yzerfontein. It is a white circular cast-iron tower that has been in use since 1893.

History

The lighthouse is found on the southern point of Dassen Island, off the western coast of South Africa, 55 km north-west of Cape Town and 11 km west of Yzerfontein. [1] It was installed on 15 April 1893. [1] The lighthouse consists of a circular cast-iron tower that is painted in white and red bands and stands atop a brick base to height of 28 m. [1] [2]

The light house signals two white flashes, separated by 10 s, every 30 s. [2] The fog horn blasts for five seconds every fifteen seconds. [2] The lighthouse is staffed at all times. The island is closed to the general public, but can be visited by special permit.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Raper, Peter E.; Moller, Lucie A.; du Plessis, Theodorus L. (2014). Dictionary of Southern African Place Names. Jonathan Ball Publishers. p. 1412. ISBN   9781868425501.
  2. 1 2 3 Rowlett, Russ (12 September 2016). "Lighthouses of Western South Africa". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill . Retrieved 4 August 2017.