Seal Point Lighthouse

Seal Point Lighthouse
Location	Cape St. Francis; Eastern Cape; South Africa
Coordinates	34°12′44.6″S 24°50′10.4″E / 34.212389°S 24.836222°E
Tower
Constructed	1878
Construction	brick tower
Height	27.75 metres (91.0 ft)
Shape	cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern rising from one-story keeper's house
Markings	white tower and lantern
Power source	mains electricity
Fog signal	Horn Mo(C) 30s
Light
First lit	4 July 1878
Focal height	36 metres (118 ft)
Lens	Fresnel
Intensity	2,750,000 cd
Range	28 nautical miles (52 km)
Characteristic	Fl W 5s.

Seal Point is a lighthouse on Cape St. Francis in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.^[4]^[3] The lighthouse is operational and houses a museum. Public access to the top of the tower is allowed in the company of a guide. Construction on the lighthouse started in November 1875 and it became operational on 4 July 1878.^[5] Total construction cost was £20,000.^[2] The Lighthouse was used by SANCOB to house penguins and other birdlife. This was until its closure in recent years. Currently, the area around the lighthouse has been developed into bike paths.^[6]

Historical Background

The lighthouse was completed in 1878 and has been operational since then. It was built to aid maritime navigation along the rugged and treacherous coast of the Eastern Cape. The lighthouse is a striking structure, standing at 28 meters (92 feet) tall, making it one of the tallest masonry lighthouses in South Africa. It is built from stone, with a classic whitewashed exterior and red lantern house.

Location and Significance

Seal Point Lighthouse is located on Seal Point, near the town of Cape St. Francis. This location is significant due to its position along a busy and historically dangerous stretch of coastline. The primary function of the lighthouse is to warn ships of the hazardous reefs and shallow waters in the area, helping to prevent shipwrecks and maritime accidents.

Features

The lighthouse originally used a fixed white light that was visible for 24 nautical miles. Over the years, it has been updated with modern lighting technology to ensure its continued effectiveness. In addition to the light, the lighthouse is equipped with a fog signal to aid navigation during periods of poor visibility.

Current Status

Today, the Seal Point Lighthouse is a popular tourist attraction. Visitors can explore the lighthouse, learn about its history, and enjoy the scenic views of the surrounding coastline. The lighthouse is maintained as part of South Africa's maritime heritage, ensuring its preservation for future generations. The lighthouse is part of the Cape St. Francis resort area, which offers various amenities and activities for visitors, including guided tours, a museum, and nearby natural attractions such as beaches and nature reserves. The Seal Point Lighthouse remains an iconic symbol of South Africa's nautical history and continues to serve as a vital navigational aid for ships traveling along the Eastern Cape coast.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "Lighthouse Tours". Archived from the original on 23 January 2010. Retrieved 23 October 2008.
^ ^a ^b Sellick, W.S.J. (1904). Uitenhage, past and present : souvenir of the Centenary, 1804-1904. pp. 125.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Section 1 – List of Lights and Radio Signals". List of Lights, Fog Signals, Radio Navigational Aids and Radio Services (2008 ed.). South African Navy, Hydrographic Office. 1997. p. 20. ISBN 9780958407175.
^ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Eastern South Africa". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
^ Theal, George McCall (1919). History of South Africa, from 1873 to 1884, twelve eventful years, with continuation of the history of Galekaland, Tembuland, Pondoland, and Bethshuanaland until the annexation of those territories to the Cape Colony, and of Zululand until its annexation to Natal. London: Allen. Retrieved 24 November 2009.
^ Personal Experiences of Francis Lehman

External links

Media related to Seal Point Lighthouse at Wikimedia Commons
South African Lighthouses

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[Ajabus-Lighthouse-1] "Lighthouse Tours". Archived from the original on 23 January 2010. Retrieved 23 October 2008.

[sellick-125-2] Sellick, W.S.J. (1904). Uitenhage, past and present : souvenir of the Centenary, 1804-1904. pp. 125.

[SANHO-1-20-3] "Section 1 – List of Lights and Radio Signals". List of Lights, Fog Signals, Radio Navigational Aids and Radio Services (2008 ed.). South African Navy, Hydrographic Office. 1997. p. 20. ISBN 9780958407175.

[4] Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Eastern South Africa". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 22 March 2016.

[5] Theal, George McCall (1919). History of South Africa, from 1873 to 1884, twelve eventful years, with continuation of the history of Galekaland, Tembuland, Pondoland, and Bethshuanaland until the annexation of those territories to the Cape Colony, and of Zululand until its annexation to Natal. London: Allen. Retrieved 24 November 2009.

[6] Personal Experiences of Francis Lehman

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Tower


Location	Cape St. Francis Eastern Cape South Africa
Coordinates	34°12′44.6″S 24°50′10.4″E / 34.212389°S 24.836222°E / -34.212389; 24.836222
Constructed	1878^[1]
Construction	brick tower
Height	27.75 metres (91.0 ft)^[1]^[2]
Shape	cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern rising from one-story keeper's house
Markings	white tower and lantern
Power source	mains electricity
Fog signal	Horn Mo(C) 30s^[3]

Light
First lit	4 July 1878
Focal height	36 metres (118 ft)
Lens	Fresnel
Intensity	2,750,000 cd^[3]^[1]
Range	28 nautical miles (52 km)^[3]^[1]
Characteristic	Fl W 5s.^[1]