Örskär

Örskär Lighthouse

Örskär Lighthouse
Sweden
Location Örskär, north of
Gräsö
Östhammar
Sweden
Coordinates 60°31′35″N 18°22′24″E / 60.526368°N 18.373346°E / 60.526368; 18.373346Coordinates: 60°31′35″N 18°22′24″E / 60.526368°N 18.373346°E / 60.526368; 18.373346
Year first constructed 1687 (first)
Year first lit 1740 (current)
Automated 1978
Foundation stone
Construction stone tower
Tower shape massive two-stage tower: octagonal prism lower section, cylindrical upper section with balcony and lantern
Markings / pattern white tower with a black band on each stage
Height 32 metres (105 ft)
Focal height 36.5 metres (120 ft)
Original lens mirrors
Current lens 4th order fresnel lens
Range 16 nautical miles (30 km; 18 mi)
Characteristic Fl (2) W 10s.
Admiralty number C6236
NGA number 10256
ARLHS number SWE-2158
Sweden number SV-2125
Managing agent Swedish Maritime Administration (Sjöfartsverket)[1]

Örskär, is a Swedish island and lighthouse station located north of Gräsö on the Uppland coastline. A large part of the island is a nature reserve and it is rich of unusual flowers such as wild orchids. The island is also noted to be a good place for birding. A very small hostel exists on the island.

History

Örskär was one of the first lightstations to be built in Sweden. The first lighthouse was constructed of wood in 1684, but was burned down in 1738 when it was hit by the lightning. The present tower was constructed by the royal architect Carl Hårleman. The flame in the lantern ran on colza oil lamps, and mirrors collected the light. Kerosene lamps replaced the colza oil lamps in the 1870s. It was finally electrified in 1954. Today the lighthouse is owned and remote-controlled by the Swedish Maritime Administration.

See also


References

  1. ↑ Örskär The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved April 6, 2016

External links


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