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On
the cover this month
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Samuel Elyard (1817–1910)
The Old Macquarie Lighthouse, South Head, c.1864
watercolour; 36.2 x 56.2 cm
Pictures Collection, nla.pic-an2686423
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The first lighthouse in Australia was built
on Sydney Harbour’s South Head, by command of Governor Lachlan Macquarie. It was designed by Francis Greenway and completed in 1818. By 1878, the tower was deemed unsafe and the New South Wales Government decided to build a new lighthouse. Construction began in 88 and the new light was first exhibited in 1883. The new structure was a replica of the old tower, but stronger in materials and design. The lantern was removed from the old tower but the structure itself was not demolished for several years. Illumination in the new tower was initially by gas burner and electric generator, was converted to a vaporised kerosene incandescent mantle system in 1912, and then back to electricity with the connection of the city power supply in 1933. For further images of this celebrated lighthouse, and the tale of other such guardians of Australia’s coastline, see story. |
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