Fremantle South Mole Lighthouse

1901

1903

Australia

Government of Western Australia

4th order

Fixed

Inactive

VQ Fl (G)

Painted green

Cast iron pre-fab tower, lantern etc

The tower is cast iron and prefabricated by Chance Bros. It was erected as part of the Fremantle Harbour works. The tower was supplied with a fourth order optic, at the request of the harbour master at the time. The tower was originally painted French grey with white lanterns, and remained in this colour scheme for many decades. In around 1898 a 24ft high steel skeleton frame was built on South Mole from which a fifth order red occulting light was shown. By July 1903 the cast iron tower had been erected and the white occulting light was lit for the first time on the 20th of that month. It was immediately realised that the light was too powerful and might be confused with the white sector of the Woodman Point light. It was quickly changed to a fixed green light. In 1947 it was changed to a green flash every second, and from 2018 a very quick green flash. In 1942 Fremantle harbour was closed and it became the largest submarine base in the southern hemisphere; 170 British, American and Dutch submarines were based there at different times throughout the rest of the war. In 1943 the lantern was removed so that observation posts and anti-submarine guns could be placed on top. The lantern of the South Mole lighthouse was reinstated in November 1946. For a peek inside, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhMwIfXol-8

Fremantle Ports

None

Kept in good order.

Open

Closed

32° 03.4´ S 115° 44.0´ E

1. https://lighthouses.org.au/wa/south-mole-lighthouse/
2. https://www.ibiblio.org/lighthouse/wau.htm
3. http://members.upnaway.com/~obees/lights/metro/freosmole.htm

Now surrounded by security fence.

ARLHS AUS-151; Admiralty Q1765; NGA 9064.