Race Rocks Light

For the light in New York State, see Race Rock Light.
Race Rocks Light
British Columbia
Location Vancouver Island
British Columbia
Canada
Coordinates 48°17′52.9″N 123°31′53.1″W / 48.298028°N 123.531417°W / 48.298028; -123.531417Coordinates: 48°17′52.9″N 123°31′53.1″W / 48.298028°N 123.531417°W / 48.298028; -123.531417
Year first constructed 18591860
Year first lit 26 December 1860
Construction stone tower
Tower shape cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern
Markings / pattern tower with black and white bands, red lantern
Height 24.4 metres (80 ft)
Focal height 36 metres (118 ft)
Characteristic Fl W 10 s
Fog signal (3) 60 s
Admiralty number G5300
CHS number CCG 0189
NGA number 13760
ARLHS number CAN-426
Managing agent Race Rocks Marine Protected Area[1]

Race Rocks Light is one of the first two lighthouses that were built on the west coast of Canada, financed by the British Government and illuminated in 1860. It is the only lighthouse on that coast built of rock, (granite) purportedly quarried in Scotland, and topped with sandstone quarried on Gabriola Island. The Islands of Race Rocks are located just off the southern tip of Vancouver Island, about 16 km southwest of Victoria, British Columbia.

History

The lighthouse was built between 18591860 by the crew of HMS Topaze and outside labourers under a contract awarded to John Morris by the British Government.[2] It was illuminated on 26 December 1860, six weeks after the smaller Fisgard Island lighthouse built at the entrance to Esquimalt Harbour near Victoria. In 2010, both lighthouses celebrated their sesquicentennial. See A complete history of the Light Station and Ecological Reserve.

It has a 24.4 m (80 feet) cylindrical tower with black and white bands, and flashes a white light every 10 seconds. Its foghorn sounds three blasts at one-minute intervals.[3]

The lighthouse has been automated since 1997 at which time Lester B. Pearson College took over the management of the station and the surrounding Race Rocks Marine Protected Area. Restoration of the interior and exterior of the historic light tower was carried out in 2009.[4]

Keepers

See also

Notes

  1. Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of British Columbia". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  2. First contact with Easter Island
  3. "Race Rocks". Notmar – List of Lights: Pacific Coast. Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 2007. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
  4. "Race Rocks,Restoration of Lighthouse". Retrieved 2010-01-31.
  5. Race Rocks Light Lighthouse Friends. Retrieved April 28, 2016

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Race Rocks Lighthouse.


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