South Head And The Macquarie Lighthouse
In the beginning of 1790 a flagstaff was erected at South Head, by means of ewhich the arrival of ships could be signalled to Sydney. For nearly 2 years the Colony has been isolated. Apparently the Home Government had forgotten their very existence.
Governor Macquarie Laid The Foundation Stone Of The Tower In July 1816, & Had Expected The Job To Be Finished In Nine Months.
Francis Greenway Didn’t Like Using The Samdstonw Quarried On Site As It Was Too Soft, And He Knew It Wouldn’t Last.
Within 50 Years The Tower Had To Be Reinforced With Iron. By 1883 The Whole Elegant Structure Had Been Condemned.
I. December 1817 Governor Macquarie Made Up A Breakfast Party To Drive Out And Inspect The Work. He was So Delighted With The “Noble & Magnificent Ediface” - That He Gave Francis Greenway His Conditional Pardon.
When The Lamps In The Original Lighthouse Were First Lit They “Astonished A Mariner When He Beheld Them From 38 Miles Out At Sea.
The Second Light, Can, Officially Be Seen 25 Miles Off shore.
