| Photographs: | |
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| List: | Register of the National Estate |
| Class: | Historic |
| Legal Status: | Registered (21/10/1980) |
| Place ID: | 1619 |
| Place File No: | 1/11/102/0047 |
| Statement of Significance: |
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| Point Perpindicular Lightstation, built in 1899, is significant as a relatively intact group of substantial Victorian lighthouse buildings and the first in New South Wales to be constructed of pre-cast concrete blocks using an aggregate of locally quarried stone. (Criterion B.2, D.2). The Lightstation is significant as reflecting the evolution of navigational aids along the coast of New South Wales and the economic development of the surrounding region. (Criterion A.4). The Lightstation is significant for its association with Public Works Department Charles Assinder Harding, one of three such lighthouses designed by Harding. (Criterion H.1). |
| Official Values: Not Available |
| Description: |
|
Point Perpendicular Lightstation is located on a 4.41 Hectare Commonwealth Reserve, and is within the Beecroft Peninsula Area. Access to the station is by road. The Lightstation Precinct consists of the Tower, Signal House, Head Keeper's Quarters two Assistant Keepers' Quarters, Former Stables, Garage and Radio Beacon. Point Perpendicular Lightstation was erected to replace the light established in June 1860 at Cape St George on the south head of Jervis Bay. The need for the new light was a result of the fact that the Cape St George lighthouse had been incorrectly sited by the building contractor. As the light partially served the purpose to which it was intended, the tower was left incomplete and a "temporary" light exhibited. This temporary measure continued for the next forty years despite the criticism by both mariners and the Marine Board. The lighthouse complex at Point Perpendicular was designed by Charles Assinder Harding, architect of the Harbour and River Navigation Branch of the Public Works Department, although his superior, Engineer-in Chief for Public Works, Cecil W. Darley, signed the contract drawings. The total cost of construction was 20 280 Pounds which included the lighthouse, headkeepers residence, semi-detached cottages for the assistant lightkeepers, signal house flagstaff, stables and outbuildings, jetty and fuel store. The light was first exhibited on 1st May, 1899. The lighthouse consists of a circular tower 44'6" (13.5M) high from the ground to the floor of the lantern. It was the first constructed in New South Wales of pre-cast concrete blocks using an aggregate of locally quarried stone and bedded in cement mortar.
The beds were crossed with a cement fillet to prevent moisture driving through in heavy weather. The interior staircases are also built of concrete, with slate treads, and have wrought-iron balusters and brass tubular hand-railing. In the lantern-room the floor is on iron work, and the projecting gallery outside is of trachyte, supported on concrete, with an over-sailing cornice. It is paved with asphalt, and has a trachyte parapet wall. The tower is entered from a lobby, on each side of which are the workroom and store. The lantern is an 920mm focal radius revolving lens on a roller bearing clockwork driven by a rotating pedestal and was manufactured by Chance Brothers of Birmingham. Th original intensity of the light was 100 000 candelas produced by kerosene mantle burners. In 1909 this was increased to 222 000 candelas. In 1923, the intensity of the light was further increased to 316 000 candelas. In June 1964 the light was converted to electric operation with the installation of twin 10 kva diesel alternators in the former stables. This conversion from kerosene to electricity enables a fourfold increase in the output of the light to
1 200 000 candelas. The original pedestal and drive were probably replaced at this time, and the character of the light was also changed. The manning of the lighthouse was reduced to two keepers. The nominal range of the light until December 1993 was 26 nautical miles and the geographic range was 24 nautical miles. The Signal House is a circular building and is constructed of precast concrete blocks, cemented inside. The Head Keeper's Quarters is a detached cottage, containing four rooms, kitchen, laundry and storeroom, and also a room for visiting officers. The two Assistant Keepers Quarters consist of two semi-detached cottages, each containing four rooms, with kitchen, laundry and storerooms. The former stables are original to the construction of the lighthouse and was originally a two-stall stable and coach-house. The timber-framed weatherboard-clad garage was probably constructed during the 1970S. An "L" shaped jetty 200 ft (60m) long with turpentine piles and hardwood girders and decking was constructed at a sheltered bay five miles north-west of the lighthouse complex (now known as Bindijine Beach). The jetty was reconstructed in 1982. |
| History: Not Available |
| Condition and Integrity: |
| The Lightstation is well maintained. The Keeper's Cottages has had alterations made such as the replacement of the original terracotta roof tiles with asbestos cement sheet. During the 1980s, two the kitchens were fitted out. Associated buildings of the lightstation, such as fowl houses and privy boxes have also been removed. In December 1993, a new steel lattice square tower was erected on the site of the 1898 flagstaff. The tower is 19m high and its automatic light has a range of 15Km. The previous light was then decommissioned. |
| Location: |
| 4ha, comprising the Lighthouse Reserve, 9km south of Currarong. |
| Bibliography: |
|
Clive Lucas, Stapleton and Partners (1993). Point Perpendicular Lightstation Conservation Management Plan. For the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Canberra. |
Report Produced: Wed Feb 10 01:38:42 2010