Cape Egmont
Lighthouse overview
Cape Egmont Lighthouse is on the southern Taranaki coast, about 50 kilometres southwest of New Plymouth. Originally built on Mana Island, it was moved to Cape Egmont in 1877.
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Lighthouse feature: |
Details |
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Location: |
latitude 39°17’ south, longitude 173°45’ east |
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Elevation: |
33 metres above sea level |
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Construction: |
cast iron tower |
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Tower height: |
20 metres |
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Light configuration: |
12-volt flashing LED beacon |
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Light flash character: |
white light flashing once every 8 seconds |
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Power source: |
mains electricity |
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Range: |
19 nautical miles (35 kilometres) |
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Date light first lit: |
1881 |
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Automated: |
1986 |
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Demanned: |
1986 |
Visit Cape Egmont Lighthouse
Cape Egmont Lighthouse station can be reached on foot from the end of Cape Road. The lighthouse is not open to visitors.
History of Cape Egmont Lighthouse
Cape Egmont Lighthouse was first built in 1865 on Mana Island, near Cook Strait. The Mana Island light was often confused with the Pencarrow light, so it was dismantled and taken to Cape Egmont.
The light shone at Cape Egmont for the first time in 1881. For the first six months an armed policeman was stationed on the first floor of the lighthouse because of the Taranaki land wars.
After the light was electrified in 1951, the keeper was transferred to another station. The original plan was to keep a keeper on the station to maintain the property and provide weather reports, but they were transferred due to staff shortages.
In 1956 the vessel Calm grounded off the cape during a gale. A permanent keeper was placed back on the station. Keepers then remained at Cape Egmont Lighthouse until the light was automated in 1986.
Operation of the light
In 1951, the lighthouse was electrified using power from diesel generators. It was later connected to mains electricity.
In 1999, Maritime NZ replaced the original light with a modern rotating beacon illuminated by a 50-watt tungsten halogen bulb. This light is powered by mains electricity and has battery back-up if the power fails.
In 2017, the light was upgraded to an LED flashing beacon with a 12-volt power system.
Life at Cape Egmont Lighthouse
In the early months of the lighthouse at Cape Egmont, the keepers were more concerned about the armed policemen stationed in the tower than about anything else.
The historical letter books include many complaints to the then Secretary of Marine regarding the armed guests. After several letters the Secretary replied:
“It is considered necessary for the men to occupy the ground floor of the lighthouse for the present and I trust you will exert yourself to get on amicably with the force and not let me have further complaints of that trivial nature of those now made by you.”
The lighthouse service was based on a strict hierarchy to avoid disputes, although this did not always succeed. Over the years, several keepers on the station were dismissed or fined for refusing to take orders from their senior keeper.
All the tasks carried out by keepers and their wives were clearly stated in the handbook, Instructions to Lighthouse Keepers. Any changes from the specified routine had to be cleared with the former Marine Department, including going to the Doctor or having guests to stay.