Light and Foghorn
The Low Head Lighthouse was built on the centenary of Australian British settlement, and exactly 84 years after a navigation beacon was first established at this point. This is probably my favourite of the many Tasmanian lighthouses, although the inaccessibility of Maatsuyker Island Lighthouse, has meant I am yet to see it in person. lighthouses.org.au/tas/maatsuyker-island-lighthouse/
But there is something special about Low Head. The fact that it is the oldest in Tasmania (and this current lighthouse is the third oldest continually used lighthouse in the country) is a factor. But architecturally it is the classic Victorian lighthouse design: Simplicity of form and perfection of function. I'll tell you more about the lighthouse and its unique red stripe in coming days.
But just a word about the great foghorn you see protruding from the shed next to the light itself.
It is unique, and "Tasmania's only foghorn (also manufactured by Chance Brothers) is a Type G diaphone that was installed in April 1929 at Low Head Lighthouse. The foghorn was operated by the lighthouse keepers during foggy conditions for more than forty years. The original device consisted of two Gardner Engine Company kerosene engines driving 2 Reavell air compressors, supplying air to two compressed air receivers (each with a capacity of 7.5 cubic metres (260 cu ft) to an operating pressure of 35 pounds per square inch (240 kPa). An air-operated timing mechanism controlled the valves which produced the sound, which could be heard at distances of up to 32 kilometers (20 mi) from Low Head. The foghorn was electrified in 1940, along with the rest of the equipment at the lightstation. At that time, one of the kerosene engines was removed and replaced with a 20-horsepower electric motor."
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_Head_Lighthouse
I'll show you a glimpse of the air compressors later.
Light and Foghorn
The Low Head Lighthouse was built on the centenary of Australian British settlement, and exactly 84 years after a navigation beacon was first established at this point. This is probably my favourite of the many Tasmanian lighthouses, although the inaccessibility of Maatsuyker Island Lighthouse, has meant I am yet to see it in person. lighthouses.org.au/tas/maatsuyker-island-lighthouse/
But there is something special about Low Head. The fact that it is the oldest in Tasmania (and this current lighthouse is the third oldest continually used lighthouse in the country) is a factor. But architecturally it is the classic Victorian lighthouse design: Simplicity of form and perfection of function. I'll tell you more about the lighthouse and its unique red stripe in coming days.
But just a word about the great foghorn you see protruding from the shed next to the light itself.
It is unique, and "Tasmania's only foghorn (also manufactured by Chance Brothers) is a Type G diaphone that was installed in April 1929 at Low Head Lighthouse. The foghorn was operated by the lighthouse keepers during foggy conditions for more than forty years. The original device consisted of two Gardner Engine Company kerosene engines driving 2 Reavell air compressors, supplying air to two compressed air receivers (each with a capacity of 7.5 cubic metres (260 cu ft) to an operating pressure of 35 pounds per square inch (240 kPa). An air-operated timing mechanism controlled the valves which produced the sound, which could be heard at distances of up to 32 kilometers (20 mi) from Low Head. The foghorn was electrified in 1940, along with the rest of the equipment at the lightstation. At that time, one of the kerosene engines was removed and replaced with a 20-horsepower electric motor."
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_Head_Lighthouse
I'll show you a glimpse of the air compressors later.