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The '''Georgetown Lighthouse''' was first built by the [[Netherlands|Dutch]] in 1817 and then rebuilt in 1830 to help guide ships into the [[Demerara River]] from the [[Atlantic Ocean]]. The 31 m (103&nbsp;feet) high octagonal structure is a famous [[Georgetown, Guyana]] landmark with its distinct vertical red and white stripes. The Lighthouse, located on Water Street, is a [[Monument|National Monument]].<ref name="MW">{{cite web|url=http://www.nationaltrust.gov.gy/trustnewsc.html|title=The Lighthouse|date=October 2002|work=Monument Watch|publisher=[[National Trust of Guyana]]|accessdate=2009-11-14|location=[[Georgetown, Guyana]]}} {{Dead link|date=November 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
The '''Georgetown Lighthouse''' was first built by the [[Netherlands|Dutch]] in 1817 and then rebuilt in 1830 to help guide ships into the [[Demerara River]] from the [[Atlantic Ocean]]. The 31 m (103&nbsp;feet) high octagonal structure is a famous [[Georgetown, Guyana]] landmark with its distinct vertical red and white stripes. The Lighthouse, located on Water Street, is a [[Monument|National Monument]].<ref name="MW">{{cite web|url=http://www.nationaltrust.gov.gy/trustnewsc.html|title=The Lighthouse|date=October 2002|work=Monument Watch|publisher=[[National Trust of Guyana]]|accessdate=2009-11-14|location=[[Georgetown, Guyana]] |= |=}}</ref>


The brick structure was commissioned on 1 June 1830, when it replaced a wooden lighthouse that had been built on the same site by the Dutch. British engineers constructed the present lighthouse, reinforcing the building by placing it on a foundation of 49 [[Chlorocardium rodiei|greenheart]] [[Deep foundation|piles]], making it durable nearly 200 years later.
The brick structure was commissioned on 1 June 1830, when it replaced a wooden lighthouse that had been built on the same site by the Dutch. British engineers constructed the present lighthouse, reinforcing the building by placing it on a foundation of 49 [[Chlorocardium rodiei|greenheart]] [[Deep foundation|piles]], making it durable nearly 200 years later.

Revision as of 23:33, 14 January 2016

Georgetown Lighthouse
Map
LocationWater Street, Georgetown, Guyana[1]
Coordinates6°49′25″N 58°09′52″W / 6.823697°N 58.164357°W / 6.823697; -58.164357
Tower
Constructed1817 Edit this on Wikidata
FoundationForty nine greenheart piles
ConstructionStone[1]
AutomatedClockwork[1]
ShapeOctagonal[1]
MarkingsRed and white vertical stripes[1]
Light
First lit1817[1]
Focal height70 feet (21 m)[1]
CharacteristicFlash every 60s, red or white depending on direction.[1]

The Georgetown Lighthouse was first built by the Dutch in 1817 and then rebuilt in 1830 to help guide ships into the Demerara River from the Atlantic Ocean. The 31 m (103 feet) high octagonal structure is a famous Georgetown, Guyana landmark with its distinct vertical red and white stripes. The Lighthouse, located on Water Street, is a National Monument.[2]

The brick structure was commissioned on 1 June 1830, when it replaced a wooden lighthouse that had been built on the same site by the Dutch. British engineers constructed the present lighthouse, reinforcing the building by placing it on a foundation of 49 greenheart piles, making it durable nearly 200 years later.

A floating light was placed at the Demerara bar in March 1838 and a system of signalling to the lighthouse was established. On 27 February 1838 a Committee of Pilotage was formed and entrusted with the signalling. Before establishment of the System of Signalling, a beacon had been erected on the East Coast Demerara and vessels entering had to contribute to the cost of constructing the beacon.

About a half mile east of Fort Groyne there was a block house which was used as a signal station for vessels arriving, and for signalling to Berbice. The coastal signalling was done by semaphore stations.

A steel balcony at the top of the Lighthouse offers a panoramic view of Georgetown and West Coast Demerara.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Rowlett, Russ (2009-01-12). "Lighthouses of Guyana". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  2. ^ "The Lighthouse". Monument Watch. Georgetown, Guyana: National Trust of Guyana. October 2002. Archived from the original on September 5, 2008. Retrieved 2009-11-14. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
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