North Mole Lighthouse
The North Mole Lighthouse began operation in 1906 at entrance to Fremantle Harbour. The occulting red light, emitted from a fixed lightsource at a focal plane height of 15 metres (49 ft) above sea level, is visible for 11 miles (18 km) and indicates the westernmost point of the harbour and its entrance. The lighthouse established permanent service from 1906; after the mole's foundations had settled a temporary lighting arrangement there was discharged. The light originally planned for the house was found to be too powerful and was sent to Broome for the steel lighthouse at Gantheume Point.
 Fremantle North Mole Lighthouse | |
  Western Australia | |
| |
| Location | Fremantle Harbour Western Australia |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 32°03′14″S 115°43′28.3″E |
| Year first constructed | 1906 |
| Year first lit | 1906 |
| Construction | cast iron tower |
| Tower shape | tapered cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern |
| Markings / pattern | red tower with white trim and lantern |
| Tower height | 9 metres (30 ft) |
| Focal height | 15 metres (49 ft) |
| Light source | mains power |
| Range | 11 nautical miles (20 km; 13 mi) |
| Characteristic | R Oc. 2s. |
| Admiralty number | K1764 |
| NGA number | 111-9076 |
| ARLHS number | AUS-120 |
| Managing agent | Fremantle Port Authority |
The lighthouse and its technically identical yet green coloured partner on the south mole are the last remaining of their type. It has an 'indicative place' status of the Register of the National Estate and is a well-known landmark to seamen visiting the port. It was designed by Charles Yelverton O'Connor, an engineer responsible for the construction of Fremantle Harbour and who advanced the proposal of the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme. The 15 m tower is made of cast iron, painted red and features classical decorations. It is located at the end of North Mole Drive. The position is a well used recreational fishing spot and a vantage point for ocean yacht racing or birdwatching.
References
- O'Brien, Pauline; John O'Brien (12 July 2006). "North Mole Lighthouse, Admiralty Reference # 1764 (1906 - present)". Lighthouses of Western Australia. Lighthouses of Australia Inc. Retrieved 2 May 2007.
- "Fremantle Lighthouse / North Mole (Place ID 16653)". Australian Heritage Database. Department of the Environment. Retrieved 2 May 2007.
- Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Australia: Western Australia". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 23 July 2008.
