Location:
Original Location:
Pine Islet also known as Percy Isles are part of the Northumberland group of islands located ~130km south east of Mackay, Central Queensland
GPS: Lat: 21° 36’ S : Long: 150° 13’ E
Current location:
Mackay Marina,
GPS: Lat: 21° 06’ S : Long: 149° 13’ E
First Lit: 1885 (deactivated 1985)
Tower height: 35′ (11m).
Original Lens: 3rd Order Chance Bros. Dioptric
Range: 17nml (31km)
Characteristic: One white flash every ten seconds: [Fl W 10s]
History:
The original lighthouse, established 1885, was active for a hundred years, until it was deactivated in 1985, by then the last kerosine powered lighthouse in Australia. It was relocated to the Mackay Marina in 1985 and restored to full working condition, making it the last fully functional kerosene operated lighthouse in the world.
The Lighthouse:
Construction was completed and the lighthouse was exhibited on 18 July 1885. The building was prefabricated in Brisbane and constructed on the islet, built of an internal hardwood frame, clad with riveted galvanized iron plates imported from Britain. It originally had a timber balcony floor. The original apparatus was a 2nd order revolving lens with four fixed panels and four flash panels. Its optics were or dioptric and the original lamp was an oil wick burner running on whale or vegetable oil. A red shade was used to mark Normanby Rock, about 1.6 kilometres (0.86 nmi) to the southwest. A 1909 listing lists a visibility range of 20 nautical miles (37 km; 23 mi). The original compound consisted of the light tower, three cottages for the keeper and his assistants, a store and a boat house.
The current light in situ on the island is a functional but uninspiring 20′ fiberglas tower with
Notable Keepers and Visitors:
To the best of my knowledge there isn’t an accurate record of the various lighthouse keepers on Pine Islet but coincidentally when I was in Cooktown I met a member of the volunteer coastal patrol named Russell who’s father was the lighthouse keeper on Pine Islet and who resided there until the age of 14. Amazing!
Myths and Mysteries:
Like many lighthouses Pine Islet has it’s own Ghost Story:
In 1927 the authorities decided to build a new Lighthouse Keeper’s cottage on the island and the only available flat land was a grave site. The headstone identified the grave as belonging to Dorethea McKay, who died in 1895, the wife of a Lighthouse Keeper. Dorethea’s body was exhumed and reburied some distance away and the new cottage was built on that site.
Dorethea was obviously not going to take that lying down. Soon mysterious footsteps and faint mutterings were heard. The Lightkeeper would go to the door in answer to a knock and no one would be there.
The ghost’s visits continued until the 1980s when the lighthouse was automated and the last time anyone heard from Dorethea was just before the last Lighthouse Keeper departed. There was no knock on the door this time, just footsteps through the cottage and into the lounge, stopping above her original grave.
The Lighthouse Keepers hoped that Dorethea was satisfied she would be left in peace and had found her way back to her original resting place. many other lighthouses Low Isles has it’s own tragic and unsolved mystery.
Current Status:
The relocated and restored Pine Islet lighthouse is located at Mackay marina is the only fully functional kerosine lantern in the World and as such a must visit for true lighthouse aficionados. Unfortunately it was closed on both visits I made and there were no details about it’s opening hours so reluctantly I couldn’t see the interior workings but I have attached a link to an excellent ABC report on the restoration and details of the lantern and clockwork mechanics.
The active light on Pine Islet is operated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).
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