Homigot Lighthouse
Homigot Light, Pohang, August 2010
Wikimedia Creative Commons photo by Paul Bailey https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Homigot_Lighthouse_from_New_Millennium_Memorial_Hall.jpg
Chance Brothers Lighthouse
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Date of lens manufacture
1907
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Date of lighthouse construction
1908
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Country
South Korea
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Commissioning body
Unknown.
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Order of lens
4th order
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Fixed or revolving lens
Revolving
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Active/Inactive
Active
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Describe the character of light
Fl W 12s
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Describe the lighthouses daymarks
26 metre high tapered octagonal brick tower with balcony and lantern. The whole lighthouse is painted white apart from the balcony which is painted black.
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Which aspects of the lighthouse (other than the lens) were manufactured by Chance brothers
None known.
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Describe the history of the lighthouse
The lighthouse appears in Chance Brothers of Smethwick near Birmingham's order books as Cape Clonad which was the British name given to the peninsula the light was built on.
It is also known as Cape Homi, Homigot Cape, Hanggigot, Janggi Gab, Janggigot or Changgigot.
The lighthouse was designed by French engineers and built by the Korean empire prior to the Japanese annexation. It was built to protect the east side of the bay of Pohang.
The Lighthouse is located at Homigot Cape which was listed as one of the ten most scenic sites during the Joseon Dynasty which ran from 1392 to 1897.
It was the tallest lighthouse in Korea when it opened on December 20th 1908. Built using red bricks and without any reinforcing rebar in an 18th century renaissance style with gable decorations over the entrance and windows it certainly is an interesting piece of architecture. The lighthouse was also built with a double tube structure that has protected it against earthquakes and strong winds. The ceilings on each floor are sculpted in the shape of plum blossoms, (a symbol of Joseon Royalty) and it has a total of 108 iron stairs in the six story structure, the 108 being reflective of Buddhist culture. I have been unable to find any information saying that the original Chance lens from 1907 has been removed so I have made the assumption it is still in situ.
In 2022 the lighthose was named Heritage lighthouse of the year by the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities.
The lighthouse is on the site of the Korean National Lighthouse Museum which includes in it's collection a 4th order Chance lens from the Sorido lighthouse.
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Current management body/ ports authority
South Korean Ministry of Maritime Affairs
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Historical preservation societies/manager/operator
Korean National Lighthouse Museum.
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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?
From recent photographs on the internet the lighthouse appears to be in excellent 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
36.077667° 129.569000°
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On-site bookable accommodation available
no -
Associated web addresses
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Other details
I have been unable to ascertain if tower visits are possible.
ARLHS SKR-003; Admiralty M4406; NGA 16652. -
Which resources did you use to research this lighthouses?
Online research.
Where?