Bulletin - Vol 8 No. 4 July/August 2005

Cape Don optic equipment

by Jack Duvoisin and Col Gladstone, Queensland Maritime Museum

During March 2005, the Queensland Maritime Museum (QMM) took delivery of the former Cape Don (NT) optic equipment, which included the pedestal, rotating lens table and lens.

Member Tim Nguyen found the equipment, belonging to the Australand Property Group, in storage at Darra.

Australand negotiated an acceptable storage cost and, although QMM had indicated it would contribute to the expenses, Australand eventually transferred it free of charge at the condition that QMM would display and look after the equipment and acknowledges Australand as the donor. We would like to thank Australand for their valuable assistance.

Two problems with the equipment are a shattered cast iron base piece and one bulls eye missing. A method of re-using file base has been developed and a replacement bulls eye will be sought. Other heavy cast iron components will be progressively sandblasted to allow a trial assembly over the next two months. The equipment was originally provided by the English manufacturer Chance Brothers, makers of much lighthouse equipment. It was installed at Cape Don in the Northern Territory around 1915.

Acquisition of this equipment will allow QMM to transfer other cast iron pieces and lens sections in our keeping, with the concurrence of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (the present owners), back to their places of origin. They will be transferred to the Victorian National Parks and Wildlife Service for display at Wilsons Promontory, the southernmost point of the Australian mainland. The transfer will clear quite a few pallets of gear out of the store an our south east car park.

When the Cape Don lighthouse equipment is assembled, it will weigh about 4 tonnes and stand about 4.5 m high. The lens is about one metre in diameter. The exhibit should be in place in time for the National Archives Beacons by the Sea travelling exhibition, which would be at QMM during November 2005.

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