The Carranza Lighthouse, also known as Lighthouse Cabo Carranza, is an active 19th century Chilean lighthouse situated in the Maule Region. It is part of the network of lighthouses in Chile.

Carranza lighthouse
Cabo Carranza Lighthouse
Map
LocationPunta Santa Ana
Maule Region
Chile
Coordinates35°33′36″S 72°36′48″W / 35.56000°S 72.61333°W / -35.56000; -72.61333
Tower
Constructed1895 Edit this on Wikidata
Constructioncast iron
Height18.8 m (62 ft)
Shapesquare
Markingsred and white bands
OperatorChilean Navy[1]
Light
First lit1895
Focal height52 m (171 ft)
Intensity0,000 candela
Range21 nmi (39 km)
CharacteristicFl W 10s Edit this on Wikidata

History

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This lighthouse was inaugurated on September 1, 1895 in the vicinity of Caleta Loanco. It has the peculiarity of being the only Chilean lighthouse with metallic pyramidal tower and a rectangular base.

Construction of the light was motivated by shipwrecks in the vicinities to the Punta Santa Ana, the most well known being that of the Cazador on January 30, 1856. Also, in the vicinity is the wreck of the SS John Elder, that was lost on January 17, 1892 during a cruise between Valparaíso and Talcahuano. Although carrying 132 people, there were no human losses.

At present it houses personnel of the Chilean Navy, as well as serving as an aid to navigation, since 1979 it has also been used as a meteorological station.[2]

Climate

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Climate data for Punta Carranza
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 17.2
(63.0)
18.6
(65.5)
17.6
(63.7)
15.7
(60.3)
14.7
(58.5)
13.4
(56.1)
13.1
(55.6)
13.2
(55.8)
13.6
(56.5)
14.9
(58.8)
16.2
(61.2)
17.6
(63.7)
15.5
(59.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) 15.0
(59.0)
15.0
(59.0)
14.2
(57.6)
12.7
(54.9)
11.7
(53.1)
10.6
(51.1)
10.1
(50.2)
10.2
(50.4)
10.8
(51.4)
11.8
(53.2)
13.1
(55.6)
14.2
(57.6)
12.4
(54.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 11.2
(52.2)
11.3
(52.3)
10.6
(51.1)
9.3
(48.7)
8.3
(46.9)
7.4
(45.3)
6.8
(44.2)
6.6
(43.9)
7.1
(44.8)
8.9
(48.0)
9.3
(48.7)
10.3
(50.5)
8.9
(48.1)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 6.6
(0.26)
6.7
(0.26)
18.1
(0.71)
41.4
(1.63)
148.8
(5.86)
176.9
(6.96)
177.6
(6.99)
116.6
(4.59)
60.6
(2.39)
28.8
(1.13)
18.1
(0.71)
11.7
(0.46)
811.9
(31.95)
Source: Meteorología Interactiva[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Central and Northern Chile". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 2016-05-11.
  2. ^ Cabo Carranza, Faros de Chile.
  3. ^ "Información climatológica de estaciones chilenas" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 5 December 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2024.