Clarence 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
Goup flashing (3) White 15sec
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Describe the lighthouses daymarks
17 m (60 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with fluted sides, lantern, and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white.
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Which aspects of the lighthouse (other than the lens) were manufactured by Chance brothers
Original lighthouse used a Chance Bros 4th order lantern and fixed optic.
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Describe the history of the lighthouse
The 1880 lighthouse replaced the first light structures, the first consisting of a platform with a kerosene lamp on it on the most easterly part of Pilot Hill and the second a small wooden humpy whose shutters were opened each night to dispense the rays of a large kerosene lamp placed on a bench. Tenders were called in 1878 and a permanent light was built in 1880 by W. Kinnear at a cost of £1,097. The 7 metre high lighthouse was one of five similar lights designed by Colonial architect James Barnett in New South Wales with similar lights established at Richmond River, Fingal Head, Crowdy Head and Tacking Point. It was visible for 6 nautical miles out to sea. An adjacent keeper’s residence was also built for the lightkeeper. The lighthouse was automated using actecylene in 1920 and demanned. In the early 1950's the site was chosen for the construction of the new town reservoir. A new lighthouse was built in 1955 on Pilot Hill and the old lighthouse was demolished in 1956 to make way for the reservoir. The new 18 metre lighthouse was constructed of concrete and used the 4th order Chance optic relocated from the old light. The Chance lens has been replaced by a modern beacon. The original pole from which a kerosene lamp hung is now standing in Story Park adjacent to the museum which features several exhibits of historical interest. The reservoir that replaced the original lighthouse is now gone, demolished in 1980, and that the local Yamba Community Radio Station 2TLC is housed in a replica of the 1880 lighthouse which was built by volunteers on the exact site of the original building.
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Current management body/ ports authority
AMSA
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Historical preservation societies/manager/operator
Current light is maintained by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority
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Is the site vulnerable to coastal erosion?
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Have you experienced any affects of climate change on the lighthouse?
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Observations on the condition of the lighthouse?
The 1955 constructed lighthouse remains an operation lighthouse 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. 29° 26.1' S. Long. 153° 21.8' E
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On-site bookable accommodation available
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Associated web addresses
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Other details
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Which resources did you use to research this lighthouses?
Chance Lighthouses (1856-1917) (61 years): Clarence Head (Active) AMSA archices lighthouses.org.au/nsw/clarence-river-lighthouse
Unde?
