Dassen Island Lighthouse

Dassen Island Lighthouse

Dassen Island and lighthouse, 9 km (6 mi) off the coast of Yzerfontein
Location	Yzerfontein Western Cape South Africa
Coordinates	33°25′57.13″S 18°05′20.72″E
Tower
Constructed	1893
Construction	Cast-iron tower
Height	29 metres (95 ft)
Shape	Circular prism tower with balcony and lantern
Markings	White tower, red bands
Power source	mains electricity
Light
First lit	15 April 1893
Focal height	47 metres (154 ft)
Intensity	1,400,000 cd
Range	24 nautical miles (44 km; 28 mi)
Characteristic	Fl(2) W 30s

Dassen Island Lighthouse is a lighthouse situated on Dassen Island, west of Yzerfontein. It is a white circular cast-iron tower that has been in use since 1893.

History

The lighthouse is found on the southern point of Dassen Island, off the western coast of South Africa, 55 km north-west of Cape Town and 11 km west of Yzerfontein.[1] It was installed on 15 April 1893.[1] The lighthouse consists of a circular cast-iron tower that is painted in white and red bands and stands atop a brick base to height of 28 m.[1][2]

The light house signals two white flashes, separated by 10 s, every 30 s.[2] The fog horn blasts for five seconds every fifteen seconds.[2] The lighthouse is staffed at all times. The island is closed to the general public, but can be visited by special permit.

References

1. Raper, Peter E.; Moller, Lucie A.; du Plessis, Theodorus L. (2014). Dictionary of Southern African Place Names. Jonathan Ball Publishers. p. 1412. ISBN 9781868425501.
2. Rowlett, Russ (12 September 2016). "Lighthouses of Western South Africa". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 4 August 2017.