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 time periods. 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.
Below, each part of the lighthouse is listed and the description, condition and significance of each part is discussed. Criterion listed under ‘Heritage Significance’ refer to the criterion satisfied within the specific Commonwealth heritage listing (see ‘Section 5.1’).
(All images in sub-sections 4.1 and 4.2 – Source: AMSA)
Lighthouse feature: Lantern roof
© AMSA, 2019
Description and condition
1886 Queensland Government design part-spherical dome with single skin of galvanised sheets lapped and screwed.
- Ribs – iron radial ribs
- Inner skin – none
- Ventilator – mushroom type
- Lightning conductor – vertical pole beside ventilator, with three spikes at top, and two braces to ventilator
- Gutter – circular ring of cast iron pieces bolted together
- Drip tray – copper dish suspended under ventilator
| Finish | painted |
| Condition | poor |
| Integrity | medium |
| Significance | high |
| Maintenance | keep in service, prepare and repaint at normal intervals |
| Rectification works | none |
Heritage significance:
The lantern roof is an original part of a lighthouse associated with the maritime history of the Torres Strait (criterion a).
The lantern roof is an original part of a lighthouse constructed entirely by government labour (criterion b).
The lantern roof is an original part of a lighthouse that demonstrates the principal characteristics of a late 19th century Queensland lighthouse (criterion d).
Lighthouse feature: Lantern glazing
© AMSA, 2019
Description and condition
- 1886 Qld Government design.
- Panes – flat trapezoidal glass, one tier
- Astragals – T section cast copper alloy, bolted to gutter ring at top, and to lantern base below
- Downpipes – removed, rainwater discharges through short vertical spitters attached to gutter
| Finish | astragals and glazing strips: painted |
| Condition | intact and sound |
| Integrity | medium |
| Significance | high |
| Maintenance | keep in service, reglaze as necessary, prepare and repaint at normal intervals |
| Rectification works | none |
Heritage significance: High
The lantern glazing is an original part of a lighthouse associated with the maritime history of the Torres Strait (criterion a).
The lantern glazing is an original part of a lighthouse constructed entirely by government labour (criterion b).
The lantern glazing is an original part of a lighthouse that demonstrates the principal characteristics of a late 19th century Queensland lighthouse (criterion d).
Lighthouse feature: Lantern base
© AMSA, 2019
Description and condition
1886 cylindrical in form.
- Frame – timber
- Internal lining – timber beaded tongue-and-groove vertical boards, V jointed
- External sheeting – riveted galvanised iron plates
- Vents – small cast metal cowls near the bottom of the lantern base exterior; small round copper alloy regulators near the top of the lantern base interior
- Door – Curved iron plate door with flat frame riveted around its perimeter. Copper alloy surface mounted hinges. Copper alloy handles inside and out. Secured by steel pipe strong-back with threaded stud and hex nut inside.
| Finish | painted |
| Condition | intact and sound |
| Integrity | high |
| Significance | high |
| Maintenance | keep in service, prepare and repaint at normal intervals, monitor door deal |
| Rectification works | none |
Heritage significance: High
The lantern base is an original part of a lighthouse associated with the maritime history of the Torres Strait (criterion a).
The lantern base is an original part of a lighthouse constructed entirely by government labour (criterion b).
The lantern base is an original part of a lighthouse that demonstrates the principal characteristics of a late 19th century Queensland lighthouse (criterion d).
Lighthouse feature: Lantern floor
© AMSA, 2019
Description and condition
1886 timber floor, with hardwood joists in radial arrangement. Timber floor boards with sheet lead covering. Square access hole with timber trapdoor.
| 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 lantern floor is an original part of a lighthouse associated with the maritime history of the Torres Strait (criterion a).
The lantern floor is an original part of a lighthouse constructed entirely by government labour (criterion b).
The lantern floor is an original part of a lighthouse that demonstrates the principal characteristics of a late 19th century Queensland lighthouse (criterion d).
Lighthouse feature: Lens assembly
© AMSA, 2019
Description and condition
1886 Chance Brothers 250mm focal radius fixed (not-rotating) lens assembly of glass and gunmetal. Panel of reflecting prisms opens for access.
| Condition | intact and sound |
| Integrity | high |
| Significance | high |
| Maintenance | keep in service, clean optic at normal intervals |
| Rectification works | none |
Heritage significance: High
The lens assembly is an original part of a lighthouse associated with the maritime history of the Torres Strait (criterion a).
The lens assembly is an original part of a lighthouse constructed entirely by government labour (criterion b).
The lens assembly is an original part of a lighthouse that demonstrates the principal characteristics of a late 19th century Queensland lighthouse (criterion d).
Lighthouse feature: Light source
© AMSA, 2019
Description and condition
12V 100W C8 Halogen LP PR30s in CR Control S-2086BLR lamp changer.
| Condition | intact and sound |
| Integrity | high |
| Significance | low |
| Maintenance | keep in service |
| Rectification works | none |
Heritage significance: Low
Lighthouse feature: Pedestal
© AMSA, 2019
Description and condition
1886 cast iron pedestal and top.
| Finish | painted |
| Condition | intact and sound |
| Integrity | high |
| Significance | high |
| Maintenance | keep in service, prepare and repaint pedestal at normal intervals |
| Rectification works | none |
Heritage significance: High
The pedestal is an original part of a lighthouse associated with the maritime history of the Torres Strait (criterion a).
The pedestal is an original part of a lighthouse constructed entirely by government labour (criterion b).
The pedestal is an original part of a lighthouse that demonstrates the principal characteristics of a late 19th century Queensland lighthouse (criterion d).
Lighthouse feature: Balcony floor
© AMSA, 2019
Description and condition
(Continuation of lantern floor) 1886 timber floor. Hardwood joists in radial arrangement. Hardwood tongue and groove floorboards. Covered with sheet lead, with folded lap joints.
| Finish | painted |
| Condition | Intact and sound |
| Integrity | high |
| Significance | high |
| Maintenance | keep in service, prepare and repaint at normal intervals, monitor condition of lead sheeting |
| Rectification works | none |
Heritage significance: High
The balcony floor is an original part of a lighthouse associated with the maritime history of the Torres Strait (criterion a).
The balcony floor is an original part of a lighthouse constructed entirely by government labour (criterion b).
The balcony floor is an original part of a lighthouse that demonstrates the principal characteristics of a late 19th century Queensland lighthouse (criterion d).
Lighthouse feature: Balcony balustrade
© AMSA, 2019
Description and condition
Railing with solid wrought iron stanchions bolted to balcony floor, with wrought eyes for top and middle rails of stainless steel. Round stanchion bases bolted to balcony floor. Satellite transponder fixed to top 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 balcony balustrades are an early part of a lighthouse associated with the maritime history of the Torres Strait (criterion a).
The balcony balustrades are an early part of a lighthouse constructed entirely by government labour (criterion b).
The balcony balustrades are an early part of a lighthouse that demonstrates the principal characteristics of a late 19th century Queensland lighthouse (criterion d).
Lighthouse feature: Light screens
© AMSA 2021
Description and condition
Modern plywood screens attached to the balcony balustrade and supported by stainless steel brackets attached to lantern gutter. These are in a similar configuration to an earlier pair of screens made of solid timber.
| Finish | painted |
| Condition | intact and sound |
| Integrity | medium |
| Significance | moderate |
| Maintenance | keep in service, prepare and repaint at normal intervals |
| Rectification works | none |
Heritage significance: moderate
The light screens are a replica of an early part of a lighthouse associated with the maritime history of the Torres Strait (criterion a).
The light screens are a replica of an early part of a lighthouse constructed entirely by government labour (criterion b).
The light screens are a replica of an early part of a lighthouse that demonstrates the principal characteristics of a late 19th century Queensland lighthouse (criterion d).
Lighthouse feature: Walls
© AMSA 2021
Description and condition
1886 timber frame with modern corrugated stainless steel sheeting.
- Sheeting – the tower is covered with a stainless steel cladding, with corrugations tapered to suit conical form of the tower
- Frame – hardwood studs and rails joined with housing joints to horizontal plates and girts – connections are reinforced with forged iron straps bolted to timber members
- Base plate – cast iron ring made in sections bolted together, incorporating vertical tags to which the studs are bolted
| Finish | painted inside and out |
| 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 walls are an original part of a lighthouse associated with the maritime history of the Torres Strait (criterion a).
The walls are an original part of a lighthouse constructed entirely by government labour (criterion b).
The walls are an original part of a lighthouse that demonstrates the principal characteristics of a late 19th century Queensland lighthouse (criterion d).
Lighthouse feature: Windows
© AMSA 2021
Description and condition
Two 1886 rectangular windows. Each window has a single vertically sliding sash.
| Finish | frames, sashes and one pane: painted other pane: 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 an original part of a lighthouse associated with the maritime history of the Torres Strait (criterion a).
The windows are an original part of a lighthouse constructed entirely by government labour (criterion b).
The windows are an original part of a lighthouse that demonstrates the principal characteristics of a late 19th century Queensland lighthouse (criterion d).
Lighthouse feature: Ladder
© AMSA 2021
Description and condition
1886 fixed timber ladder.
| 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 ladder is an original part of a lighthouse associated with the maritime history of the Torres Strait (criterion a).
The ladder is an original part of a lighthouse constructed entirely by government labour (criterion b).
The ladder is an original part of a lighthouse that demonstrates the principal characteristics of a late 19th century Queensland lighthouse (criterion d).
Lighthouse feature: Ground floor
© AMSA 2021
Description and condition
1886 concrete slab on fill retained by rendered stone rubble wall, with cast iron base ring for tower frame cast into it.
- Equipment – eight batteries on a galvanised steel rack inside the tower; control gear; cables
| 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 ground floor is an original part of a lighthouse associated with the maritime history of the Torres Strait (criterion a).
The ground floor is an original part of a lighthouse constructed entirely by government labour (criterion b).
The ground floor is an original part of a lighthouse that demonstrates the principal characteristics of a late 19th century Queensland lighthouse (criterion d).
Lighthouse feature: Porch
© AMSA 2021
Description and condition
Timber framed, corrugated stainless steel sheeted porch, with barrel-vaulted roof. Two timber framed and sheeted external doors.
| 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 porch is an original feature of a lighthouse associated with the maritime history of the Torres Strait (criterion a).
The porch is an original feature of a lighthouse constructed entirely by government labour (criterion b).
The porch is an original feature of a lighthouse that demonstrates the principal characteristics of a late 19th century Queensland lighthouse (criterion d).
Lighthouse feature: Doors
© AMSA 2021
Description and condition
A pair of timber framed and sheeted doors. Timber hardwood doors re-constructed 2013 as per their replacement.
| 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 doors are a replica of an original part of a lighthouse associated with the maritime history of the Torres Strait (criterion a).
The doors are a replica of an original part of a lighthouse constructed entirely by government labour (criterion b).
The doors are a replica of an original part of a lighthouse that demonstrates the principal characteristics of a late 19th century Queensland lighthouse (criterion d).
Lighthouse feature: Entry stairs
© AMSA 2021
Description and condition
Cement rendered rubble masonry stair treads, with later concrete ramp formed over one side. Recent welded aluminium platform and stainless steel balustrade attached outside the porch doorway.
| Finish | bare aluminium other parts painted |
| Condition | intact and sound |
| Integrity | high |
| Significance | aluminium parts: low stainless steel parts: low other parts: high |
| Maintenance | keep in service, prepare and repaint at normal intervals |
| Rectification works | none |
Heritage significance: High
The entry stairs are an original part of a lighthouse associated with the maritime history of the Torres Strait (criterion a).
The entry stairs are an original part of a lighthouse constructed entirely by government labour (criterion b).
The entry stairs are an original part of a lighthouse that demonstrates the principal characteristics of a late 19th century Queensland lighthouse (criterion d).
Lighthouse feature: Solar panels
© AMSA 2021
Description and condition
Four panels on two aluminium stands on the ground near the base of the tower.
| Condition | intact and sound |
| Integrity | high |
| Significance | low |
| Maintenance | keep in service |
| Rectification works | none |
Heritage significance: Low
Lighthouse feature: Helipad
© AMSA 2021
Description and condition
Cast concrete slab encompassing parts of earlier building slabs.
| Finish | trowelled bare concrete |
| Condition | intact and sound |
| Integrity | medium |
| Significance | low |
| Maintenance | keep in service, repaint helicopter marking as required |
| Rectification works | none |
Heritage significance: Low
4.2 Related object and associated AMSA artefacts
There are currently no AMSA artefacts at Goods Island Lighthouse.
4.3 Comparative analysis
The Goods Island Lighthouse can be usefully compared to a select number of other lighthouses located along the east coast of Australia, all within the state of Queensland.
Constructed over the period of 1886 to 1887, Goods Island Lighthouse is one of a group of only nine timber and light gauge corrugated galvanised iron sheeted (as opposed to riveted iron plated) composite lighthouses built in Queensland. This type of construction represents an innovation in Australian lighthouses and is a Queensland-based solution to the environment and lack of resources. Of the original nine lighthouses, only seven have survived. Of these, only three remain in their original locations and only two of these are still in operation – Goods Island Lighthouse and Grassy Hill Lighthouse. First lit in 1886, mere months prior to the completion of Goods Island, Grassy Hill Lighthouse still stands outside Cooktown. The galvanised iron sheeted lighthouse mirrors Goods Island’s design; complete with porch, entry stairs and red copula.
The other seven lighthouses include:
- Little Sea Hill Lighthouse I, Curtis Island (Deactivated c. 1960s, displayed at Gladstone Maritime Museum)
- Bay Rock Light, Halifax Bay (Deactivated c. 1980s, displayed at Townsville Maritime Museum)
- Gatcombe Head Light, Facing Island (Demolished)
- Little Sea Hill Light II, Curtis Island (Deactivated 2006)
- Old Caloundra Light, Caloundra (Deactivated 1968)
- North Point Light, Moreton Island (Demolished)
- Bulwer Island Light, Brisbane (Deactivated, displayed Queensland Maritime Museum)
Figure 13. Grassy Hill Lighthouse, Cooktown QLD, first lit 1886. Courtesy of the National Archives of Australia. NAA: A1500, K28005 (© Commonwealth of Australia, National Archives of Australia)
Figure 14. Goods Island Lighthouse, Goods Island (Palilag) QLD, first lit 1887 (© AMSA, 2014)