Gustavia Lighthouse
Lighthouse on Saint Barthélemy in the French West Indies
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Gustavia Lighthouse is a 20th-century lighthouse located in Gustavia, the capital of Saint Barthélemy in the French West Indies. It was constructed in 1961 on the grounds of Fort Gustav, overlooking the Gustavia harbor.[1]
View of Gustavia Lighthouse | |
 | |
| Location | Gustavia, Saint Barthélemy, France |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 17.901061°N 62.851533°W |
| Tower | |
| Constructed | 1961 |
| Construction | concrete (tower) |
| Automated | 1972 |
| Height | 9 metres (30 feet) |
| Shape | conical |
| Markings | white (body), red (dome) |
| Power source | mains electricity  |
| Light | |
| First lit | 1962 |
| Focal height | 64 metres (210 feet) |
| Light source | electricity |
| Range | 11 km (6.8 mi) (white), 8 km (5.0 mi) (red), 8 km (5.0 mi) (green) |
| Characteristic | white, green, red / 12 s |
Today the lighthouse is a popular location for tourists, hikers, and photographers,[1][2] as well as a site for viewing regattas, such as the St Barths Bucket Regatta.[3][4]
History
The lighthouse was constructed in 1961 by the Direction des Phares and Balises.[1][5] It was built on the grounds of Fort Gustav,[1] one of multiple 18th-century forts that protected Gustavia. Construction took six months, and was done by two laborers: Joseph Gréaux de Flamands and Louis Turbé de Public.[6]
The lighthouse's lamp was first lit in 1962,[6] by lighthouse keeper Albert Lédée (who would be lighthouse keeper for almost 30 years).[6] Originally, the lamp was gas powered.[1][6] It required three cylinders each month, which were replaced by Lédée monthly.[6]
In 1972, after switching to electricity, the operation of the lighthouse lamp was automated.[1][6] An electronic cell triggers the lamp's mechanism based on brightness.[6] Additionally, batteries were installed at the bottom of the tower to provide back-up power to the light in the event of power loss from a hurricane.[6]
Characteristics
The lighthouse is 9 metres (30 feet) tall. Its focal plane is 64 meters (210 feet) above sea level. The round conical tower has a single red band at the top, with "Gustavia" written in white. Its light flashes every 12 seconds, white, green, or red depending on direction,[7][8] with a range of 8–11 km (5.0–6.8 mi). Some have noted that the Gustavia Lighthouse does not meet the French Bureau of Lighthouses and Signals criteria for lighthouse height or range.[5][9]
Gustavia Lighthouse with canon below
Gustavia Lighthouse and canons on hill above Gustavia Harbor
View of Gustavia harbor from the base of Gustavia Lighthouse
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See also
- List of lighthouses in France
- List of lighthouses in Saint Barthélemy
- Bureau Phares et Balises(Bureau of Lighthouses and Signals)