Cape Naturaliste

1903

1904

Australia

West Australian Government

1st order

Revolving

Active

Fl. White. (2) in 10 secs

Grey stone tower with white lantern

Chance lantern, Mercury float, vaporised 85mm kerosene mantle.

At least 12 ships have come to grief in the strong currents and dangerous reefs which lie off Cape Naturaliste’s sharp point. American whalers frequented the coast in great numbers during the 1840’s. During January 1841 there were 17 ships in Geographe Bay, nearly all were whalers. Three American whalers were wrecked on the south west coast of Western Australia on 8 July 1840 in a gale: the Samuel Wright, the North America and the Governor Endicott. The lighthouse’s predecessor was known as ‘The Tub’ – it was a barrel on top of a 30 foot pole in Busselton which marked the best landing place for passengers and stores. Later a lantern was hung from the top of a pole so it could be seen at night. In 1873, this was replaced by a wooden structure called ‘The Lighthouse’. . The Cape Naturaliste tower, positioned on a 100 m high bluff overlooking Geographe Bay, was constructed in 1903 from local limestone, quarried close to the lighthouse at what is known as the “Quarries”. Bullock wagons carted the stone from the quarry and most of the other materials and apparatus that were landed at nearby Eagle Bay. This included the lens and turntable weighing 12 1/2 tons. The circular conical masonry tower built of local limestone was constructed on a high cliff located 18 miles west of Busselton. The Chance Bros first order lens produced 755,000 candelas. It was described in 1923 and in 1948 as a light exhibited at an elevation of 404ft on a grey stone tower 62ft high about 1 mile from the extreme of the cape. The lloyds signal station at the lighthouse was connected by telephone with the main telegraph system. Its light was upgraded to 1.2 million candelas in 1924 and subsequently converted to electric illumination in 1978 with standby diesal generators. The light, the last WA light to be manned, became fully automatic on the 30th of June 1995. The steps leading up the tower were made from wooden teak blocks dowelled together and placed grain-end up for long wearing. These steps are still in good order and in use today. The three keepers’ quarters, of stone construction, were constructed to house three light keepers. The light was first exhibited on the 15th of April 1904. The apparatus was originally powered by an incandescent vapourised kerosene lamp. The power was increased to 1,213,000 candelas using an improved mantle in August 1924. Although Cape Naturaliste was relatively close to settlement, life was still hard for lightkeepers and their families. With no paid annual leave or travel assistance, lightkeepers remained at their isolated stations for many years. Once a fortnight stores were delivered from Busselton. The nearest school was 20 kilometres (14 miles) away at Quindalup. 1907 was an eventful year for the lightstation. The wreck of the Carnarvon Castle, which had caught fire off the the south east of Western Australia, saw the rescue of 14 seaman after weeks at sea in lifeboats. The crew stayed at the headkeeper’s home until they were well enough to travel.

Australian Maritime Safety Authority

Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association

The lighthouse is an active lighthouse and remains in good condition.

Open

Open

33° 32.2390' S, 115° 01.1210’ E

1. https://lighthouses.org.au/wa/cape-naturaliste-lighthouse/
2. https://www.margaretriver.com/things-to-do/attractions/lighthouses/cape-naturaliste-lighthouse/
3. https://www.ibiblio.org/lighthouse/wau.htm
4. http://members.upnaway.com/~obees/lights/swest/naturaliste.htm

The 1st order Chance optic described as a 920mm focal radius two panel dioptric lens with dioptric reinforcing mirror rotates every 10 seconds. The Cape Naturaliste lens is considered one of the most impressive optics in Australia and remains in use. The light is open to visitors.

ARLHS AUS-040; Admiralty Q1790; NGA 8880.