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 maintained by the National Trust of Guyana.[2]
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| Location | Water Street, Georgetown, Guyana[1] |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 6°49′25″N 58°09′52″W / 6.8236966°N 58.1643569°W |
| Tower | |
| Constructed | 1817 (first)[1] |
| Foundation | forty nine greenheart piles |
| Construction | stone tower[1] |
| Automated | clockwork[1] |
| Height | 30 metres (98 ft) |
| Shape | tapered octagonal tower with balcony and lantern[1] |
| Markings | red and white vertical stripes[1] |
| Light | |
| First lit | 1830 |
| Focal height | 31.5 metres (103 ft)[1] |
| Characteristic | Flash every 60s, red or white depending on direction.[1] |
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. You must climb 138 stairs to access the balcony.
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h Rowlett, Russ (2009-01-12). "Lighthouses of Guyana". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
- ^ "Historic Kingston". National Trust of Guyana. Retrieved 27 August 2020.