4.1 Fabric register
The cultural significance of the lighthouse resides in its fabric, and also in its intangible aspects, such as the meanings people ascribe to it, and the connections to other places and things. The survival of its cultural value depends on a well-informed understanding of what is significant, and on clear thinking about the consequences of change. The Burra Charter sets out good practice for conserving cultural significance.
Criterion listed under ‘Heritage Significance’ refer to the criterion satisfied within the specific Commonwealth heritage listing (see section 5.1).
(All images in sub-section 4.1 and 4.2 – © AMSA)
Lighthouse feature: 1976 GRP lantern on top of 1906 Chance Brothers lantern base.
Description and condition
NAL-1 conical roof of glass reinforced plastic. Single copper lightning conductor spike on top, connected with a cable running down outside of tower.
Finish |
painted externally |
Condition |
intact and sound |
Integrity |
high |
Significance |
low |
Maintenance |
keep in service, prepare and repaint at normal intervals |
Rectification works |
none |
Heritage significance: Low
Lighthouse feature: 1976 Lantern glazing
Description and condition
Flat, trapezoidal glass panes. Aluminium astragals and cover strips.
Finish |
unpainted |
Condition |
intact and sound |
Integrity |
high |
Significance |
low |
Maintenance |
keep in service, reglaze as necessary |
Rectification works |
none |
Heritage significance: Low
Lighthouse feature: 1976 lantern base
Description and condition
GRP cylindrical base made of panels bolted together; vertical ribs and flanges where segments are connected; horizontal flange at bottom; horizontal sill at top.
- Ventilators – GRP chambers bolted onto the outside of the wall panels.
- Balcony door – GRP, internally ribbed, on bronze hinges, locked by internal cast aluminium strong-back with cast aluminium hand wheel on stainless steel stud.
Finish |
painted externally |
Condition |
intact and sound |
Integrity |
high |
Significance |
low |
Maintenance |
keep in service, prepare and repaint at normal intervals |
Rectification works |
none |
Heritage significance: Low
Lighthouse feature: 1976 lantern floor
Description and condition
GRP floor made in two halves with integral box beams underneath; halves bolted together and fixed to the top of the old lantern base; continuous with upper balcony floor. Access hatch is rectangular, with welded aluminium door.
Finish |
painted on top, unpainted on bottom |
Condition |
intact and sound |
Integrity |
high |
Significance |
low |
Maintenance |
keep in service, prepare and repaint at normal intervals |
Rectification works |
none |
Heritage significance: Low
Lighthouse feature: 1906 lantern base
Description and condition
1906 Chance Bros, cylindrical in form. Curved panels of cast iron bolted together with flanged joints.
- Internal lining – none (removed).
- Central support – galvanised steel tube with welded plates top and bottom, to support the centre of the upper lantern floor and the beacon pedestal.
- Ladder – fixed galvanised steel ladder to upper lantern room.
- Ventilators – round air inlets cast as part of wall panels; cast iron air trunks bolted on inside, from which the original brass regulators have been removed.
- Doors – Chance Bros iron door from which the inner lining, frame and lock have been removed; the lock replaced by cast aluminium strong-back, cast aluminium hand-wheel and stainless steel stud; original bronze hinges. Reproduction Chance Brothers makers plate fitted to internal surface of door in 2012.
Finish |
painted |
Condition |
sound |
Integrity |
high |
Significance |
high |
Maintenance |
keep in service, prepare and repaint at normal intervals |
Rectification works |
none |
Heritage significance: High
The 1906 lantern base is an original part of one of the last lighthouses to have been built by the state of Tasmania (criterion a).
The 1906 lantern base is an original part of a relatively intact twentieth century lighthouse complex (criterion d).
The 1906 lantern base contributes to the aesthetic value of the lighthouse within its setting (criterion e).
Lighthouse feature: 1906 lantern floor
Description and condition
Ferrous metal checker plate on rolled steel joints supported on brackets built into tower wall panels.
Finish |
painted |
Condition |
intact and sound |
Integrity |
high |
Significance |
high |
Maintenance |
keep in service, prepare and repaint at normal intervals |
Rectification works |
none |
Heritage significance: High
The 1906 lantern floor is an original part of one of the last lighthouses to have been built by the State of Tasmania (criterion a).
The 1906 lantern floor is an original part of a relatively intact twentieth century lighthouse complex (criterion d).
Lighthouse feature: Beacon
Description and condition
Vega VRB-25 self-contained rotating beacon.
Condition |
intact and sound |
Integrity |
high |
Significance |
low |
Maintenance |
keep in service |
Rectification works |
none |
Heritage significance: Low
Lighthouse feature: Pedestal
Description and condition
Aluminium tube welded to circular aluminium plates top and bottom.
Finish |
unpainted |
Condition |
intact and sound |
Integrity |
high |
Significance |
low |
Maintenance |
keep in service |
Rectification works |
none |
Heritage significance: Low
Lighthouse feature: 1976 Balcony floor – upper
Description and condition
1976 GRP floor continuous with 1976 lantern floor.
Finish |
painted |
Condition |
intact and sound |
Integrity |
high |
Significance |
low |
Maintenance |
keep in service, prepare and repaint at normal intervals |
Rectification works |
none |
Heritage significance: Low
Lighthouse feature: 1976 Balcony balustrade – upper
Description and condition
1976 welded aluminium structure with tubular hand rail and balusters and rectangular bar bottom rail.
Finish |
unpainted |
Condition |
intact and sound |
Integrity |
high |
Significance |
low |
Maintenance |
keep in service |
Rectification works |
none |
Heritage significance: Low
Lighthouse feature: 1906 Balcony floor – lower
Description and condition
1906 Chance Bros cast iron floor panels and supporting brackets.
- Floor panels – segments of open lattice with solid edges.
- Brackets – angle brackets with perforated webs, bolted to tower wall panels below the balcony.
Finish |
painted |
Condition |
intact and sound |
Integrity |
high |
Significance |
high |
Maintenance |
keep in service, prepare and repaint at normal intervals |
Rectification works |
none |
Heritage significance: High
The 1906 balcony floor (lower) is an original part of one of the last lighthouses to have been built by the state of Tasmania (criterion a).
The 1906 balcony floor (lower) is an original part of a relatively intact twentieth century lighthouse complex (criterion d).
The 1906 balcony floor (lower) contributes to the aesthetic value of the lighthouse within its setting (criterion e).
Lighthouse feature: 1906 Balcony balustrade – lower
Description and condition
1906 Chance Bros cast iron stanchions with finial at the top and base plate at the bottom, bolted to balcony floor. Four round section solid wrought iron rails.
Finish |
painted |
Condition |
intact and sound |
Integrity |
high |
Significance |
high |
Maintenance |
keep in service, prepare and repaint at normal intervals |
Rectification works |
none |
Heritage significance: High
The 1906 balcony balustrades (lower) are original parts of one of the last lighthouses to have been built by the state of Tasmania (criterion a).
The 1906 balcony balustrades (lower) are original parts of a relatively intact twentieth century lighthouse complex (criterion d).
The 1906 balcony balustrades (lower) contribute to the aesthetic value of the lighthouse within its setting (criterion e).
Lighthouse feature: Walls
Description and condition
1906 Chance Bros tower of conical form, made of curved cast iron panels bolted together with flanged joints. 14 courses, including the base.
- Plaque – 1906 copper repoussé plaque above door.
Finish |
painted |
Condition |
intact and sound |
Integrity |
high |
Significance |
high |
Maintenance |
keep in service, prepare and repaint at normal intervals |
Rectification works |
none |
Heritage significance: High
The tower walls are an original part of one of the last lighthouses to have been built by the state of Tasmania (criterion a).
The tower walls are an original part of a relatively intact twentieth century lighthouse complex (criterion d).
The tower walls contribute to the aesthetic value of the lighthouse within its setting (criterion e).
Lighthouse feature: Service room
Description and condition
The upper chamber of the tower (between the third floor and the 1906 lantern floor) is internally lined with curved iron plates and iron cover strips, screwed to the outer skin.
- Air lock – iron plate enclosure and door, enclosing the stair from the chamber below.
- Access platform – platform to give access to the top of the weight tube. Timber plank floor attached by wrought iron brackets to the tower wall and the stair. Wrought iron hand rail.
Finish |
painted |
Condition |
intact and sound |
Integrity |
high |
Significance |
high |
Maintenance |
keep in service, prepare and repaint at normal intervals |
Rectification works |
none |
Heritage significance: High
The service room is an original part of one of the last lighthouses to have been built by the state of Tasmania (criterion a).
The service room is an original part of a relatively intact twentieth century lighthouse complex (criterion d).
Lighthouse feature: Windows
Description and condition
1906 Chance Bros cast iron casement sashes glazed with clear glass, in frames integral with the cast iron tower wall panels.
- Architrave – cast iron pedimented architrave on the outside.
Finish |
frames and sashes: painted glass: clear |
Condition |
intact and sound |
Integrity |
high |
Significance |
high |
Maintenance |
keep in service, prepare and repaint at normal intervals |
Rectification works |
none |
Heritage significance: High
The windows are original parts of one of the last lighthouses to have been built by the state of Tasmania (criterion a).
The windows are original parts of a relatively intact twentieth century lighthouse complex (criterion d).
The windows contribute to the aesthetic value of the lighthouse within its setting (criterion e).
Lighthouse feature: Door
Description and condition
Recent glass reinforced plastic replica of original cast iron door leaf with simulated bolection moulds.
- Architrave – the outside of the door opening has Chance Bros cast iron door case with moulded architraves and pediment.
- Hardware – three hinges bolted on inside, recent D pull on outside, recent padbolt with CLS padlock.
Finish |
painted |
Condition |
door is warped below lock, otherwise intact and sound |
Integrity |
medium |
Significance |
high |
Maintenance |
keep in service, prepare and maintain at normal intervals |
Rectification works |
none |
Heritage significance: High
The door is an original part of one of the last lighthouses to have been built by the state of Tasmania (criterion a).
The door is an original part of a relatively intact twentieth century lighthouse complex (criterion d).
The door contributes to the aesthetic value of the lighthouse within its setting (criterion e).
Lighthouse feature: Intermediate floors
Description and condition
Three 1906 Chance Bros floors of iron checker plate on hot rolled iron girders. Joints between floor plates are butted, with cover plates underneath screwed to floor plates.
Finish |
painted |
Condition |
intact and sound |
Integrity |
high |
Significance |
high |
Maintenance |
keep in service, prepare and repaint at normal intervals |
Rectification works |
none |
Heritage significance: High
The intermediate floors are original parts of one of the last lighthouses to have been built by the state of Tasmania (criterion a).
The intermediate floors are original parts of a relatively intact twentieth century lighthouse complex (criterion d).
Lighthouse feature: Stairs
Description and condition
1906 Chance Bros geometric stair. Cast iron treads bolted to iron plate strings. Wrought iron handrail and stanchions.
Finish |
painted |
Condition |
intact and sound |
Integrity |
high |
Significance |
high |
Maintenance |
keep in service, prepare and repaint at normal intervals |
Rectifications works |
none |
Heritage significance: High
The stairs are an original part of one of the last lighthouses to have been built by the state of Tasmania (criterion a).
The stairs are an original part of a relatively intact twentieth century lighthouse complex (criterion d).
Lighthouse feature: Weight tube
Description and condition
1906 riveted iron plate tube, in the centre of the tower, between the lantern floor and the first floor above ground.
Finish |
painted |
Condition |
intact and sound |
Integrity |
high |
Significance |
high |
Maintenance |
preserve, prepare and repaint at normal intervals |
Rectification works |
none |
Heritage significance: High
The weight tube is an original part of one of the last lighthouses to have been built by the state of Tasmania (criterion a).
The weight tube is an original part of a relatively intact twentieth century lighthouse complex (criterion d).
Lighthouse feature: Ground floor
Description and condition
1906 reinforced concrete slab, with recent concrete topping. Recess around entry door.
Finish |
bare concrete |
Condition |
sound |
Integrity |
high |
Significance |
high |
Maintenance |
keep in service |
Rectification works |
none |
Heritage significance: High
The ground floor is an original part of one of the last lighthouses to have been built by the state of Tasmania (criterion a).
The ground floor is an original part of a relatively intact twentieth century lighthouse complex (criterion d).
Lighthouse feature: External stair
Description and condition
1906 concrete treads cast as part of the tower base. Wrought iron handrail and balusters. Uppermost step and threshold of cast iron, part of the base course of the tower.
Finish |
painted |
Condition |
intact and sound |
Integrity |
high |
Significance |
high |
Maintenance |
keep in service, prepare and repaint at normal intervals |
Rectification works |
none |
Heritage significance: High
The external stair is an original part of one of the last lighthouses to have been built by the state of Tasmania (criterion a).
The external stair is an original part of a relatively intact twentieth century lighthouse complex (criterion d).
Lighthouse feature: Helipad
Description and condition
Concrete slab on ground.
Finish |
bare concrete, with white painted circle |
Condition |
intact and sound |
Integrity |
high |
Significance |
low |
Maintenance |
keep in service |
Rectification works |
none |
Heritage significance: Low
Lighthouse feature: Solar panels
Description and condition
Array of 10 solar panels mounted on the ground near the tower base. Support frame of aluminium channel members welded and bolted together, on concrete footings.
Condition |
sound |
Integrity |
high |
Significance |
low |
Maintenance |
keep in service |
Rectification works |
not assessed |
Heritage significance: Low
4.2 Related object and associated AMSA artefacts
There are currently no AMSA-listed artefacts stored on this site.
4.3 Comparative analysis
Of all the lighthouses built in Tasmania, the only two constructed of pre-fabricated cast iron were Tasman Island Lighthouse and Currie Harbour Lighthouse located on King Island within Bass Strait. Built in 1879, Currie Harbour Lighthouse arrived from England in 312 pieces of pre-fabricated cast iron that were then assembled on-site. Both lighthouses sport open lattice balconies supported on angle brackets. Unlike Tasman Island, Currie Island retained its original Chance Bros. lantern house.
Currie Harbour Lighthouse was decommissioned as a Commonwealth light and extinguished in 1989. However, in 1995, the light was re-ignited and is now maintained by the King Island Council.