WAGLAN LIGHTHOUSE
1029
One of the most important lights on the China coast flashes out nightly from the little island of Waglan, three miles off Cape d'Aguilar. Mariners arriving off Hongkong during the night are guided by its beam.
The history of the Waglan Lighthouse covers more than 40 years. In July, 1891, Mr. D. Marr Henderson, Engineer-in-Chief to the Imperial Maritime Customs Service of China, submitted designs and specifications for the tower, lantern and light to the Commissioner, Sir Robert Hart, G.C.M.G.
The plans were approved and the execution of the work was entrusted to Messrs. Barbier and Co., of Paris. This system, it was explained, was used in the French Lighthouse Service, and was first applied to a fourth order light for the Senetose Lighthouse in Corsica. Under this system, harbour lights were to be floated on mercury, and sea lights were to be floated on water. Mercury, it was contended, had many advantages over water, and Mr. Henderson approved of its use for first order and even for hypersensitive lights.
Accordingly, the Waglan Light was fitted with an Armature à pivot-flotteur à mercure. In case of breakdown, the Armature Ordinaire à Chariot was also retained.
Under this new system, which was no more costly than the old, the lights could be revolved with less driving power, at much greater speed, with greater steadiness and with less wear and tear. Consequently, the periods of darkness could be reduced and larger and more powerful lenses used.
The following particulars of the tower and light were given in the Hongkong Telegraph on May 24, 1895:
The tower, 17 feet 6 inches in diameter at its base, and 12 feet 8 inches at its top, is similar to some of the other cast-iron towers erected in China; and it is provided with brass scuttles, ventilators with brass hit-and-miss valves, and the usual speaking tubes and lightning conductor. The door in the murette of the lantern, which leads to the outer gallery at the top of the tower, is fitted with a porch, having two entrance doors, so that the lightkeepers can gain access to the exterior of the lantern in any weather without the flame of the large lamp being interfered with or caused to flicker by irregular currents of air. This is the first lantern so fitted in China. An iron ladder leads to the top of the curved lantern glazing, and access to the vane is rendered safe and easy by steps bolted to the dome of the lantern. The cowl is a fixed one of the latest pattern.
The optical apparatus is of the first order having an internal diameter of 1.84 metres, and it consists of four pairs of great lenses, four pairs of upper prism panels, and four pairs of lower prism panels, one pair of each being necessary to give a double flash.
The principle of detached building, as a precaution against fire, has been carried out in this lighthouse, as in most of those erected in China.
The three buoys, which were moored near the landing place to assist vessels laden with materials in getting near to the island, were constructed by the Hongkong and Whampoa Dock Co., and the special open-link chain cables used, were manufactured by Messrs. Brown, Lenox & Co. of London; the whole being made in accordance with Mr. Henderson's designs.