Lighthouse of Ponta Negra
![]() ![]() Azores | |
Location |
Vila do Corvo Corvo Azores Portugal |
---|---|
Coordinates | 39°40′11.74″N 31°6′52.73″W / 39.6699278°N 31.1146472°WCoordinates: 39°40′11.74″N 31°6′52.73″W / 39.6699278°N 31.1146472°W |
Year first constructed | 1910 |
Automated | February 1987 |
Construction | concrete tower |
Tower shape | hexagonal prism tower with balcony and beaconhttp://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/1532741.jpg |
Markings / pattern | white tower |
Height | 3 metres (9.8 ft) |
Focal height | 22 metres (72 ft) |
Light source | mains power |
Range | 6 mi (9.7 km) |
Characteristic | Fl W 5s. |
Fog signal | No |
Admiralty number | D2712 |
NGA number | 23280 |
ARLHS number | 882[1] |
The Lighthouse of Ponta Negra (Portuguese: Farolim da Ponta Negra) is a beacon/lighthouse located along the cliffs of promontory of Ponta Negra, on the Portuguese island of Corvo in the archipelago of the Azores.
History
![](../I/m/Corvo%2C_in%C3%ADcio_do_S%C3%A9c%2C_XX%2C_terrenos_agr%C3%ADculas%2C_porto_da_casa%2C_Arquivo_de_Villa_Maria%2C_Angra_do_Hero%C3%ADsmo%2C_ilha_Terceira%2C_A%C3%A7ores.jpg)
The small lighthouse was constructed in November 1910, with a sixth order diotropic light, providing a fixed white light, that ranged to 10 miles (16 km), supported by acetylene gas.[2]
In 1955, construction began on a modernization of the light.[2] By May 1956, the new light was inaugurated, this time using a fourth-order diotropic light, in groups of double clarions, with a 15 miles (24 km) range.[2]
Its power source was changed in February 1987, to photovoltaic panels, and converted to a solar panel-battery reserve system by the first decade of the 21st century.[2]
Architecture
This light is located on the clifftop promontory of Ponta Negra, on the southern coast of Corvo (west of the port of Boqueirão) alongside the traditional windmills; it is at the edge of the Caminho dos Moinhos near the westernmost windmill of the group.[2]
Originally the illuminating tower was an ironwork structure 6 metres (20 ft) high, with small cabana-like metal annex, painted in red.[2] The modern building consists of a beacon mounted to a hexagonal tower, constructed of reinforced concrete.[2] The small tower is 3 metres (9.8 ft) high, and the current light is 23 metres (75 ft) above sea level, providing a range of sight to 6 miles (9.7 km), using a simple white beacon with five second interval.[2]
See also
References
- Notes
- ↑ Ponta Negra The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved March 18, 2016
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Costa, Patrícia; Gavinha, José A.; Ferreira, Teresa (2012), SIPA, ed., Farol da Ponta Negra (IPA.00015925/PT072001010001) (in Portuguese), Lisbon, Portugal: SIPA – Sistema de Informação para o Património Arquitectónico, retrieved 30 August 2015
- Sources
- Eduardo Carvalho Vieira, Furtado (2005), Guardiães do Mar dos Açores: uma viagem pelas ilhas do Atlântico [Guardians of The Azores’ Seas: One Direction On These Atlantic Islands] (in Portuguese), p. 289, ISBN 972-9060-47-9
- "Faróis de Portugal", Ciência Viva (in Portuguese), Lisbon, Portugal: Ministério da Marinha Portuguesa, Direcção de Faróis, 2005