History

The first navigation aid on Cleveland Point was a beacon established in 1847,^[3] by Francis Edward Bigge, Member of the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales, at his expense, as part of his lobbying of Cleveland as the port for Moreton Bay.^[4] In the middle of the 19th century, small coastal steamboats became a main means of transport for farmers in Moreton Bay, specifically in Cleveland, Victoria Point, Redland Bay and along the Logan River and Albert River. Several lights were established around that period to assist navigation in Moreton Bay, notorious for its rocks and moving mudflats and sandbanks. In some places where no official light was established, locals would install their own lights, as was the case in Cleveland Point.^[5] In the 1860s the Government of Queensland decided to replace these lights with a permanent light. The first temporary government light was displayed in April 1864.^[4] The permanent light was constructed in late 1864 to early 1865.^[4] The original light source was a fixed kerosene operated light, visible for 14.5 kilometres (7.8 nmi).^[4] In 1874^[6] a refurbished Chance Brothers Fresnel lens^[7] from Comboyuro Point Light on Moreton Island^[8] replaced the original lens. The apparatus was upgraded to a more powerful Chance Brothers lens in 1879.^[4] Two red sectors, indicating close by shoals were installed in 1920. In 1934 the lighthouse was converted to electricity and the City Electric Light Company Limited became the responsible operator.^[3] The light source was a round concentrated filament lamp.^[4]

In 1969 the lighthouse took part in experiment in the use of laser beams as aid to navigation.^[7] In 1976^[9] the lighthouse was deactivated and replaced by a concrete pile light which was constructed just 3 metres (9.8 ft) away.^[10] In March 1976 the original lighthouse was moved away about 30 metres (98 ft) away.^[11] The Redland Shire Council restored the lighthouse in 1987.^[12]

Structure

The white painted tapering tower is timber framed, as typical for Queensland lighthouses of the late 19th century. However, it is quite unusual in that it is hexagonal in form, rather than round in form like most lighthouses of the period, and clad with weatherboards, rather than the typical metal.^[3] While several other lighthouses of the period were clad this way, the only other surviving example is Old Burnett Heads Light.^[2] The inside of the tower is unpainted. It comprises three levels connected by a ladder. A timber floor opens to the west of the first floor, while two windows are at the first and second levels, on the eastern face.^[4]

On top of the tower is a red painted iron alloy lantern room capped with an iron alloy dome.^[14] It holds six panels, five clear glazed and one of red perspex. A hatch under the sill on the western face opens to the gallery. The gallery is wooden, hexagonal in form, with a pipe handrail, supported on metal struts.^[4]

Display

The light characteristic of the newer light was a flash every three seconds, red or white depending on the sector (Fl.W.R. 3s). White flashes, visible for 13 nautical miles (24 km; 15 mi), are shown on 160°-225° and 285°-311°. Red flashes, visible for 8 nautical miles (15 km; 9.2 mi), are shown on 225°-285° and 311°-160°.^[16]