Richmond River
Chance Brothers Lighthouse
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Date of lens manufacture
1879
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Date of lighthouse construction
1880
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Country
Australia
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Commissioning body
NSW Government
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Order of lens
4th order
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Fixed or revolving lens
Fixed
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Active/Inactive
Active
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Describe the character of light
Grp. Fl White. (4) 16 secs
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Describe the lighthouses daymarks
White tower and lantern
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Which aspects of the lighthouse (other than the lens) were manufactured by Chance brothers
4th Order Chance lantern
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Describe the history of the lighthouse
The Richmond River Lighthouse is very similiar to Fingal Head, both lights having had their adjoining rooms removed. Tacking Point and Crowdy Head Lighthouses have retained their adjoining rooms, Clarence River was replaced and demolished in 1955. All were designed by Colonial architect James Barnett and constructed between 1878 and 1880 to the same design using 4th order Chance lanterns and optics. Tenders were called for construction of the 17ft circular stone tower and keepers cottage in 1878, it was built in 1879 and exhibited in 1880. The location of the light allowed construction of a short tower while still achieving a focal plane height of 115 feet. The first apparatus was a Chance Bros fixed 4th order catadioptric light of approximately 1000 candelas. The light was visible for twelve miles in clear weather. The light was run in conjunction with the local Pilot Station and therefore only needed one keeper. A two wick oil burner provided the light source up until conversion to automatic acetylene gas operation in 1920. This allowed the removal of the keeper. Gas remained the illuminant until conversion to mains electricity operation in the 1960s.
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Current management body/ ports authority
NSW Maritime
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Historical preservation societies/manager/operator
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Is the site vulnerable to coastal erosion?
no -
Have you experienced any affects of climate change on the lighthouse?
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Observations on the condition of the lighthouse?
The lighthouse remains an active light and is in good condition.
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Is the site open/closed to the public
Open
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Is the tower open/closed to the public
Closed
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Latitude and Longitude
Lat. 28°52' S, Long. 153°36' E
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On-site bookable accommodation available
no -
Associated web addresses
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Other details
The Richmond River Lighthouse is one of five very similar NSW lights, Tacking Point, Crowdy Head, Fingal Head Lighthouses and Clarence River, demolished in 1955.
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Which resources did you use to research this lighthouses?
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Where?
