The Cape Wickham Lighthouse on the northernmost tip of King Island started service on 1st November 1861.
No records have been located from the beginning of operations to January 1879.
No records have been located from the beginning of operations to January 1879.
First mentioned in the Launceston Examiner on 6 December 1855 page 2:
THE LIGHTHOUSE ON KING'S ISLAND
The report of the Victorian board appointed to examine and report as to the King's Island Lighthouse, commences by declaring the absolute necessity of the of a lighthouse on the island, and recommends the northern end of the island as "unquestionably the best site." From the spot selected the sea horizon Is stated to be visible around twenty-one points of the compass, at an altitude of only six feet above the present surface of the ridge.
Consequently, the light, when erected, will embrace within its circle a still greater range of the compass, while at the same time, it will be distinctly seen over the New Year Islands." The proximity of the site to those dangerous shoals the Navarino and the Harbingers also pointed out as an advantage.
The site selected for the proposed lighthouse has been found by observation to have an altitude
of 171 feet above the sea level and is on that -part of the Mount Wickham Ridge, running down to the North Cape, which has been cleared of the dense scrub by some recent bush fire, and lies about a quarter of a mile from the beach.
The lantern should be elevated at least 300 ft above high-water mark; it should be a fitted light In contradistinction to that on Cape Otway, and of sufficient power to be seen on a clear night at least 25 miles.
Ships, therefore, sailing in either direction through the Straits would have the advantage of Its auxiliary aid in obscure or misty weather.
An abundance of good durable stone can, it is ascertained, be easily procured within a quarter of a mile of the proposed site of the lighthouse, either compact basalt or sandstone, while granite of superior quality abounds in large quantities on both of the New Year Islands.
The timber for the erection would require to be imported, but firewood 'and good springs are abundant.
As to the manner of intercourse with the island and facilities for landing stores, the board remark that ineffectual attempts were made to land on the north and north east coasts, but were rendered abortive by the heavy surf constantly breaking on the shore even in the finest weather, and for this purpose the Loelia was anchored at Disappointment Bay, but afterwards permanently during their slay, removed to Franklin Roads, found to be a tolerably safe anchorage for small vessels, and they have since practically ascertained that the only place where landing can be effected is the small sandy beach close to the wreck of the Whistler – even here impossible with a strong north-westerly breeze.
The board mention that within tile past eighteen months the following vessels have been wrecked on the western shores of King's Islands, vis. ship Brahmin, schooner Waterwitch, schooner Agnes, ship Whistler, brig Maypo, schooner Elizabeth; and express an opinion that three of these calamities would, in all human probability, have been avoided had a light been erected prior to that period. These vessels, the Brahmin, Maypo, and Whistler, were driven on shore at night by the force of the strong north-westerly gales and a current which we have ascertained to be singularly influenced by these winds.
THE LIGHTHOUSE ON KING'S ISLAND
The report of the Victorian board appointed to examine and report as to the King's Island Lighthouse, commences by declaring the absolute necessity of the of a lighthouse on the island, and recommends the northern end of the island as "unquestionably the best site." From the spot selected the sea horizon Is stated to be visible around twenty-one points of the compass, at an altitude of only six feet above the present surface of the ridge.
Consequently, the light, when erected, will embrace within its circle a still greater range of the compass, while at the same time, it will be distinctly seen over the New Year Islands." The proximity of the site to those dangerous shoals the Navarino and the Harbingers also pointed out as an advantage.
The site selected for the proposed lighthouse has been found by observation to have an altitude
of 171 feet above the sea level and is on that -part of the Mount Wickham Ridge, running down to the North Cape, which has been cleared of the dense scrub by some recent bush fire, and lies about a quarter of a mile from the beach.
The lantern should be elevated at least 300 ft above high-water mark; it should be a fitted light In contradistinction to that on Cape Otway, and of sufficient power to be seen on a clear night at least 25 miles.
Ships, therefore, sailing in either direction through the Straits would have the advantage of Its auxiliary aid in obscure or misty weather.
An abundance of good durable stone can, it is ascertained, be easily procured within a quarter of a mile of the proposed site of the lighthouse, either compact basalt or sandstone, while granite of superior quality abounds in large quantities on both of the New Year Islands.
The timber for the erection would require to be imported, but firewood 'and good springs are abundant.
As to the manner of intercourse with the island and facilities for landing stores, the board remark that ineffectual attempts were made to land on the north and north east coasts, but were rendered abortive by the heavy surf constantly breaking on the shore even in the finest weather, and for this purpose the Loelia was anchored at Disappointment Bay, but afterwards permanently during their slay, removed to Franklin Roads, found to be a tolerably safe anchorage for small vessels, and they have since practically ascertained that the only place where landing can be effected is the small sandy beach close to the wreck of the Whistler – even here impossible with a strong north-westerly breeze.
The board mention that within tile past eighteen months the following vessels have been wrecked on the western shores of King's Islands, vis. ship Brahmin, schooner Waterwitch, schooner Agnes, ship Whistler, brig Maypo, schooner Elizabeth; and express an opinion that three of these calamities would, in all human probability, have been avoided had a light been erected prior to that period. These vessels, the Brahmin, Maypo, and Whistler, were driven on shore at night by the force of the strong north-westerly gales and a current which we have ascertained to be singularly influenced by these winds.
LIGHTHOUSE KEEPERS - January 1879 to March 1892 (Source: MB2-20)
BROWN, Charles
BROWN, Charles Christie
DREW, Caswall
GARRAWAY, Robert William
HERBERT, George
HOWARD, James
HUXLEY, George
JOHNSTON, George
KEATING, Robert
MARTIN, Samuel (Senior)
MARTIN, Samuel (Junior)
MONSEN, Frank
MOORE, Peter
NILLSON, Edward
PARKINSON, William John
ROBERTS, Edward George
SPONG, Algernon Lawrence Babington
SPONG, Edward Nash
SPONG, Harold Lawrence Nash
TAYLOR, James
WHEELER, Henry John
BROWN, Charles
BROWN, Charles Christie
DREW, Caswall
GARRAWAY, Robert William
HERBERT, George
HOWARD, James
HUXLEY, George
JOHNSTON, George
KEATING, Robert
MARTIN, Samuel (Senior)
MARTIN, Samuel (Junior)
MONSEN, Frank
MOORE, Peter
NILLSON, Edward
PARKINSON, William John
ROBERTS, Edward George
SPONG, Algernon Lawrence Babington
SPONG, Edward Nash
SPONG, Harold Lawrence Nash
TAYLOR, James
WHEELER, Henry John