Random Head Harbour

Random Head Lighthouse

Location	Random Head Random Island Newfoundland Canada
Coordinates	48°05′41″N53°32′43″W / 48.094705°N 53.545327°W / 48.094705; -53.545327
Tower
Constructed	1895
Foundation	concrete base
Construction	cast iron tower
Height	10 m (33 ft)
Shape	cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern
Markings	red and white checkered pattern, red lantern
Power source	solar power
Operator	Canadian Coast Guard [1] [2]
Heritage	recognized federal heritage building of Canada
Light
Focal height	38 m (125 ft)
Range	7 nmi (13 km; 8.1 mi)
Characteristic	Fl W 3s

Random Head Harbour is a settlement on Random Island, Newfoundland and Labrador. Random Head Harbour was formally inhabited, however, it is now a ghost town. Random Head Harbour is the location of the Random Head Lighthouse, a federally recognized heritage site. ^[3]

The Lighthouse

In 1894, a lighthouse and tower were under construction for a proposed site of Heart's Content. However, it was decided that the lighthouse and tower was to be erected off the largest of the Motion Islands at Random Head. In 1895, the lighthouse went into operation. The lighthouse officially stood at 10.4 meters (34 feet). On April 15, 1895, Thomas H. Cooper was appointed Keeper of the lighthouse. Cooper would serve in this role until 1905 when he passed away. Upon this, his son, George H. Cooper, would become the new Keeper.

In 1931, the fuel source for the light was changed to acetylene; George Cooper stepped down the same year. George's son, Thomas Henry Cooper, would stay as the lighthouse's caretaker until 1952. John Watton would also serve as caretaker through the 1960s; the lighthouse would convert to battery power during this time period. In 1990, the federal government officially recognized the lighthouse as a federal heritage building. ^{[4] [5]}

List of Keepers

• Thomas H. Cooper (1895–1904)
• George H. Cooper (1905–1931)
• Thomas Henry Cooper (1932–1952) (caretaker)
• John Watton (1960s ^[a] )

Notes

1. possibly through the 1950s as well

References

1. Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Canada: Southeastern Newfoundland". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill . Retrieved 2017-02-10.
2. 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.
3. "Lighttower". Parks Canada . Retrieved 2026-02-01.
4. "Random Head Lighthouse". swahsociety.com. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
5. "Random Head Lighthouse". lighthousefriends.com. Retrieved 2026-02-01.