Shiriyazaki Lighthouse

Shiriyazaki Lighthouse
Shiriyazaki tōdai
尻屋埼灯台
Shiriyazaki Lighthouse
Japan
Shiriyazaki Lighthouse (Aomori Prefecture)
Location Higashidōri
Aomori Prefecture
Japan
Coordinates 41°25′49.4″N 141°27′43.6″E / 41.430389°N 141.462111°E / 41.430389; 141.462111Coordinates: 41°25′49.4″N 141°27′43.6″E / 41.430389°N 141.462111°E / 41.430389; 141.462111
Year first constructed 1876 (first)
Year first lit 1951 (current)
Foundation brick and concrete
Construction brick and concrete tower
Tower shape tapered cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern
Markings / pattern white tower and lantern
Height 32.82 metres (107.7 ft)
Focal height 45.70 metres (149.9 ft)
Original lens Second Order Fresnel
Intensity 2,000,000 candela
Range 34 kilometres (18 nmi)
Characteristic Fl W 10s.
Admiralty number M6628
NGA number 3860
ARLHS number JPN-578
Japan number JCG-1604[1]

Shiriyazaki Lighthouse (尻屋埼灯台, Shiriyazaki tōdai) is a lighthouse located on the outermost extremity of Cape Shiriyazaki, the northeastern-most point of Honshu, in Higashidōri, Aomori Prefecture, Japan.

History

The Shiriyazaki Lighthouse was one of the 26 lighthouses built in Meiji period Japan by British engineer Richard Henry Brunton. The lighthouse was completed on October 20, 1876 (after Brunton had departed from Japan), and was the first western-style lighthouse in the Tōhoku region of Japan. On November 20, 1877, a fog bell was installed due to the high incidence of fogs and days of poor visibility in the area. This was the first fog bell in Japan, but the sound proved to be too weak, so on December 20, 1879 it was replaced by the first fog horn in Japan. [2] Other noteworthy events include the installation of the first electric power generator for a lighthouse in Japan in 1901. [2]

In 1945, during World War II, Shiriyazaki Lighthouse was bombarded by United States Navy warships, cracking its Fresnel lens and causing severe damage to its structure, killing its attendant. However, the following year, on several occasions, fishermen reported being able to see a light in the ruined lighthouse, which enabled them to land safely despite a deep fog. However, when authorities investigated, they found that the stairs were blocked with rubble and the light room was completely destroyed. A temporary light was installed in the ruined structure from August 1946, and the rumors ceased. [3] The lighthouse was repaired and went back into operation in 1951. The lighthouse is maintained by the Japan Coast Guard. [4]

The Shiriyazaki Lighthouse is registered with the Japanese government as an “A-grade Lighthouse” for historic preservation and is listed as one of the “50 Lighthouses of Japan” by the Japan Lighthouse Association.[5]

See also


Notes

  1. ↑ Lighthouse Directory
  2. 1 2 Historical Lighthouses of Japan
  3. ↑ Anecdotes related to Aids to Navigation
  4. ↑ Japan Coast Guard 2nd Division
  5. ↑ Japan Lighthouse Association home page (in Japanese)

References

  • Brunton, Richard. Building Japan, 1868-1879. Japan Library, 1991. ISBN 1-873410-05-0
  • Pedlar, Neil. The Imported Pioneers: Westerners who Helped Build Modern Japan. Routledge, 1990. ISBN 0-904404-51-X
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