Tuesday, January 02, 2007

CAPE AGULHAS - Eastern Cape


CAPE AGULHAS – Eastern Cape

This lighthouse has been in operation since 1 March 1849 and has a range of 30 nautical miles. Originally made of limestone, it was declared unsafe in 1968 because of limestone decomposition. The light was then transferred to a lattice tower. Restoration of the original tower began in 1983. The original lighthouse was recommissioned on 25 March 1988. The lighthouse museum opened in 1994. Cape Agulhas is the most southerly cape on the African continent. The name means “Cape of the Needle” named so by Bartholomeu Dias and refers to the compass needle which swung in various directions when rounding the cape. The lighthouse consists of a 27 metre white round tower painted in red bands. The lighthouse is now a national monument and opens to the public.

Quoted at the opening ceremony:- Job22:28 'The light shall shine upon thy ways.'

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