 |
| Image credit - trawell |
Whenever we pass by a beach, we would notice a tall pillar-like tower with a light on top of it. Yes, it is a Lighthouse that helps in navigating people traveling in the sea to know the shore is over there.
Of course, we have seen many lighthouses in different places. In India, there are 23 lighthouses which are located along the eastern, southern, and western coast of the Indian Peninsula. Every lighthouse has its own story behind it and wondering how does this works.
So let's get to know about the Chennai Lighthouse which is located in Marina Beach. First, let us know about the appearance of the Lighthouse
Introduction and Description about Chennai Lighthouse:
Chennai Lighthouse is a famous landmark on Marina Beach in Chennai. Its height is 45.72 meters which is approximately 150 feet in height. Whereas it is the only lighthouse in India within City limits, in which it also has a green lighthouse with a solar panel for power supply.
This lighthouse is associated with the Meteorological Department. So, many visitors were restricted to enter the lighthouse till 2013. It is one of the few lighthouses in the world with an elevator inbuilt with it.
What is the story behind this lighthouse?
During the 18th Century, the Madras City sea trade was controlled by the British East India Company. When the ships travel across the seashore of Madras, they faced many difficulties. At present, it is the fourth lighthouse built. The information given below is about the first lighthouse built in Chennai.
So, at the end of the 18th Century, many new boats were uploaded, fisherwomen would guide their men in the sea by the bonfire. The arrangement of the lighthouse was done by a British Company. The first lighthouse was built in 1796 when they built that lighthouse near Fort St George as a navigational aid, and they used a large oil-wick lantern to aid vessels approaching the port.
Second Lighthouse:
Then, a fire in the year 1762 demolished the area including two temples. Thus the second lighthouse was erected between 1832- 1844. It was built on the north side of Fort St George, and it was 11 feet tall. So, the entire structure from base to top heights up to 125 ft. The illumination of light is done by 15 argand lamps with parabolic reflectors which were arranged in three tiers.
But it cannot withstand the saline breeze, and so the surface of the tower is built with granite. However, after the construction of the High court in 1892, mariners started to face difficulty during the daytime. So, the tower was inactive from 1894. After that, the lighthouse was built at the top of the High court.
Third Lighthouse:
And the third lighthouse was renovated and built on the top of the High Court in 1894. This Lighthouse was lit using Kerosene to produce Light with an intensity equivalent to that emitted by about 80000 candles. This was the major attraction for German warships during World War 1. The lighthouse was the main target for the attack in which the high court campus was bombed in 1914.
Fourth Lighthouse:
The present Lighthouse was unveiled on the 10th of January 1977. In this Lighthouse, electrical equipment that is manufactured by BBT, Paris is installed on the new tower, which maintains the range of 28 Nautical miles for vessels and is one of the tallest Lighthouses in the country.
Along with Chennai Lighthouse, there are 23 lighthouses along the coastal side of the peninsula of India. Some of the famous Lighthouses are present in Kanyakumari, Rameswaram, Pamban, Nagapattinam, and Pondicherry Lighthouses
Of course, we have seen many lighthouses in different places. In India, there are 23 lighthouses which are located along the eastern, southern, and western coast of the Indian Peninsula. Every lighthouse has its own story behind it and wondering how does this works.
So let's get to know about the Chennai Lighthouse which is located in Marina Beach. First, let us know about the appearance of the Lighthouse
Introduction and Description about Chennai Lighthouse:
Chennai Lighthouse is a famous landmark on Marina Beach in Chennai. Its height is 45.72 meters which is approximately 150 feet in height. Whereas it is the only lighthouse in India within City limits, in which it also has a green lighthouse with a solar panel for power supply.
This lighthouse is associated with the Meteorological Department. So, many visitors were restricted to enter the lighthouse till 2013. It is one of the few lighthouses in the world with an elevator inbuilt with it.
What is the story behind this lighthouse?
During the 18th Century, the Madras City sea trade was controlled by the British East India Company. When the ships travel across the seashore of Madras, they faced many difficulties. At present, it is the fourth lighthouse built. The information given below is about the first lighthouse built in Chennai.
So, at the end of the 18th Century, many new boats were uploaded, fisherwomen would guide their men in the sea by the bonfire. The arrangement of the lighthouse was done by a British Company. The first lighthouse was built in 1796 when they built that lighthouse near Fort St George as a navigational aid, and they used a large oil-wick lantern to aid vessels approaching the port.
Second Lighthouse:
Then, a fire in the year 1762 demolished the area including two temples. Thus the second lighthouse was erected between 1832- 1844. It was built on the north side of Fort St George, and it was 11 feet tall. So, the entire structure from base to top heights up to 125 ft. The illumination of light is done by 15 argand lamps with parabolic reflectors which were arranged in three tiers.
But it cannot withstand the saline breeze, and so the surface of the tower is built with granite. However, after the construction of the High court in 1892, mariners started to face difficulty during the daytime. So, the tower was inactive from 1894. After that, the lighthouse was built at the top of the High court.
Third Lighthouse:
And the third lighthouse was renovated and built on the top of the High Court in 1894. This Lighthouse was lit using Kerosene to produce Light with an intensity equivalent to that emitted by about 80000 candles. This was the major attraction for German warships during World War 1. The lighthouse was the main target for the attack in which the high court campus was bombed in 1914.
Fourth Lighthouse:
The present Lighthouse was unveiled on the 10th of January 1977. In this Lighthouse, electrical equipment that is manufactured by BBT, Paris is installed on the new tower, which maintains the range of 28 Nautical miles for vessels and is one of the tallest Lighthouses in the country.
Along with Chennai Lighthouse, there are 23 lighthouses along the coastal side of the peninsula of India. Some of the famous Lighthouses are present in Kanyakumari, Rameswaram, Pamban, Nagapattinam, and Pondicherry Lighthouses
 |
| Image credit - tripadvisor |
Do Lighthouses have museums separately?
When we talk about museums of Lighthouses, Chennai houses 13 Lighthouses in India, also known as a Heritage site. In Chennai Lighthouse museum they portray the maritime History of India. It has a history of marine navigation, oil-bearing large wicks, kerosene lights, petroleum vapor, and electrical lamps which were used before lighthouses.
From now onwards while seeing a Lighthouse you will be interested to know about it in-depth. It is also a very interesting place to visit during your vacations and leisure breaks.
Written By - Shreya Srinivasan
Edited By - Daniel Deepak Charles
.jpeg)
0 Comments