Cape St Blaize

LIGHTHOUSE DETAILS
Name Cape St Blaize
Structure Circular cast iron tower painted white
Other Features Only rock lighthouse on the South African coast
Date Installed 15 March 1864
Description Mossel Bay lies on the other side of a protruding cape, or point. In this case it is Cape St Blaize. Its southern shores are lined with awesome cliffs that loom above the thundering surf below and the relentless force of the elements has cut out massive caverns. Ancient Khoi found shelter in the Cape St. Blaize Cave and an archaeological dig revealed that early dwellers of the cave might have largely survived on the abundant shellfish.
The Cape St Blaize lighthouse was erected in 1864. And up until recently, was one of the only two lighthouses manned 24 hours daily on the South African Coastline. Until the late 1970s a clockwork system was originally used to turn the lens and it required a lightkeeper to climb up the tower and wind it up every three hours! All the navigational aids and joining plant are fully automated now, but a senior lightkeeper and two lightkeepers are still employed. A constant radio watch is kept and the regular meteorological duties are also undertaken.
The history of Mossel Bay is closely linked to maritime activities. The site of the PHILLIA and other wrecks was recently identified for an underwater museum because of easy accessibility and at present, the site is being archeologically surveyed and diving on this historical site can be arranged through the Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex. On route to the adjacent village of Hartenbos, one passes the historic Santos Pavilion - today the only remaining Pavilion on the beach in South Africa. Built in 1906, it was inspired by the pavilion at Brighton, England.
The cost of the original installation was £3 608.6.5 sterling.

LIGHT DETAILS
Light Type Automatic lamp-exchanger
Light Character Group flashing, showing two flashes every 15 seconds
Light Range 22 sea miles
Light Power 450 000 CD
Height of focal Plane 0 metres above high water

POSITION
Position 34 11 10 South, 22 09 25 East