| |
Location | Gustavia, Saint Barthélemy, France |
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Coordinates | 17°54′04″N 62°51′06″W / 17.901061°N 62.851533°W |
Tower | |
Constructed | 1961 |
Construction | concrete (tower) |
Automated | 1972 |
Height | 9 m (30 ft) |
Shape | conical |
Markings | white (body), red (dome) |
Power source | mains electricity |
Light | |
First lit | 1962 |
Focal height | 64 m (210 ft) |
Light source | electricity |
Range | 11 km (6.8 mi) (white), 8 km (5.0 mi) (red), 8 km (5.0 mi) (green) |
Characteristic | white, green, red / 12 s |
The Gustavia Lighthouse is a 20th-century lighthouse located in Gustavia, the capital of Saint Barthélemy in the French West Indies. It was constructed in 1961 on the grounds of Fort Gustav, overlooking the Gustavia harbor. [1]
Today the lighthouse is a popular location for tourists, hikers, and photographers, [1] [2] as well as a site for viewing regattas, such as the St Barths Bucket Regatta. [3] [4]
The lighthouse was constructed in 1961 by the Direction des Phares and Balises. [1] [5] It was built on the grounds of Fort Gustav, [1] one of multiple 18th-century forts that protected Gustavia. Construction took six months, and was done by two laborers: Joseph Gréaux de Flamands and Louis Turbé de Public. [6]
The lighthouse's lamp was first lit in 1962, [6] by lighthouse keeper Albert Lédée (who would be lighthouse keeper for almost 30 years). [6] Originally, the lamp was gas powered. [1] [6] It required three cylinders each month, which were replaced by Lédée monthly. [6]
In 1972, after switching to electricity, the operation of the lighthouse lamp was automated. [1] [6] An electronic cell triggers the lamp's mechanism based on brightness. [6] Additionally, batteries were installed at the bottom of the tower to provide back-up power to the light in the event of power loss from a hurricane. [6]
The lighthouse is 9 m (30 ft) tall. Its focal plane is 64 meters (210 ft) above sea level. The round conical tower has a single red band at the top, with "Gustavia" written in white. Its light flashes every 12 seconds, white, green, or red depending on direction, [7] [8] with a range of 8-11 km (5-6.8 mi). Some have noted that the Gustavia Lighthouse does not meet the French Bureau of Lighthouses and Signals criteria for lighthouse height or range. [5] [9]
Le phare est administrativement défini comme un établissement remplissant au moins trois des quatre critères suivants: • une fonction d'atterrissage • une hauteur audessus du sol de plus de 20 mètres • une portée supérieure à 20 milles • un ensemble bâti, en particulier des logements de gardiens.[A lighthouse is administratively defined as an establishment fulfilling at least three of the following four criteria: • a landing function •a height above the ground of more than 20 meters • a range greater than 20 miles • a built complex, in particularly guard housing.]