Point Moore stripped of its lens

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Sadly, in May this year, Point Moore Lighthouse was stripped of its magnificent 8-panel Fresnel lens. The lens was the original Chance Bros. lens installed when the lighthouse was first lit in 1878. Unfortunately, removal of the original lens from a lighthouse tower, dramatically decreases the heritage value of the site.

The systematic downgrading of our historic lighthouses now leaves only a few 2nd order Fresnel lenses remaining operational in Australia. Others are at Norah Heads, Nobbys, and Barrenjoey on the east coast and Bathurst Point, Rottnest Island on the west.

We can only hope that the prominent locations of these remaining lights will see them remain for future generations.

Above and Left
The beautiful Fresnel Lens alight in August 2008.

Below
The replacement plastic lens is barely visible in an
empty lantern room in August 2009.

Images: Garry Searle

See Also:           Point Moore Lighthouse - LoA

Comments

Monday, 15 February 2010           Wallace Cray

Vandalism of lighthouses in remote regions has become a problem. Archer Point light near Cooktown has been severely damaged of late to the extent that it became a danger to navigation

Tuesday, 6 October 2009           Joseph William Carter

Unless I hear of a good reason, I class that as vandalism by people who should know better, the heart taken out of another Lighthouse

Monday, 28 September 2009           Claire Turley

Please could some one explain why the lens was removed, for what purpose, what was gained by removing the lens

Monday, 21 September 2009           Rob

Very sad indeed.

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