Tuesday, 24 April 2012

Vaucluse, South Head Signal Station

The South Head Signal Station is located along Old South Head Road, in the eastern suburb of Vaucluse. Captain John Hunter established a 'lookout post' with huts and a flagstaff in 1790, which would serve as a landmark for ships arriving at the heads. Later, a nine metre high brick column and a semaphore mast were built near the flagstaff. A sandstone tower was designed by Mortimer Lewis and built in the 1840s to replace the brick column and in the 1890s was raised to the present four storeys. It ceased as a signal station for Sydney Harbour in 1992 but was taken over by Coast Guard Sydney and has operated since as a Search and Rescue Base, monitoring small craft and recreational boaters.

15 comments:

  1. I guess it's what we would call a lighthouse? Lovely picture Jim.

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  2. great photo...so wonderful that this lighthouse is still be used and for a similar purpose!

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  3. Wow, another beautiful place. Wonderful image.

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  4. Beautiful lighthouse, gorgeous blue skies and a terrific capture for the day! You never disappoint, Jim! Have a great week!

    Sylvia

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  5. Love lighthouses!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  6. You are hitting the jackpot, architecturally :) First the Macquarie Lighthouse (1791) and now the Vaucluse Signal Station (1790). Love them.

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  7. As the name implies this is (was)a Signal Station not a lighthouse. Macquarie Lighthouse is just up the road and both establishments served their own different purpose.

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  8. Thanks, andy. I shouldn't have used the label "lighthouse" on this post because I probably added some confusion.

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  9. Je le trouve tres beau ce phare sur tes derniers post


    Publicity ;o) Every Friday (and the Weekend), The Challenge "Walk In The Street Photography"

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  10. When I see those KEEP OUT signs around a lighthouse I heed the warning and instructions. They all seem to have that same style little picket fence. This is a nice one, and I am so glad it is really in use. genie

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