CAPE AGULHAS LIGHTHOUSE

Standing proudly on top of a small hill at the tip of the African continent since 1848 is the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse, modelled after the Pharos of Alexandria in Egypt. The Cape Agulhas Lighthouse is the second oldest in the country after the Green Point Lighthouse.    

Some interesting facts about the Lighthouse:

Pharos of Alexandria	CHARACTER OF THE LIGHT:	One flash every 5 seconds
	TYPE OF LIGHT:	Revolving-electric
	CANDELAS:	7 500 000 c.d.
	RANGE:	30 Nautical Miles
	HEIGHT OF FOCAL PLANE:	31 metres above H.W.O.S.T.
	LIGHTHOUSE COMPLETION:	15 December 1848
	FIRST LIGHT:	1 March 1849

While visiting the Lighthouse make sure you visit Daisy Rowe, daughter of the assistant lightkeeper (A. Rowe) grave.  A. Rowe was stationed at the Lighthouse from 1899 to 1901.  Daisy's grave is located inside the round-about as you enter the Lighthouse precinct.  

And do not miss the photo opportunity next to the figurehead opposite the Lighthouse entrance.  The figurehead's origins are unknown, however all evidence point to the fact that the figurehead belongs to the French barque "Marie Elise" wrecked near Ryspunt on the 6 November 1877.  The original figurehead can be seen in the Shipwreck Museum in Bredasdorp.  

Another interesting site to view while you are at the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse is the 2,5m deep water well, built in the 1840's by the lightkeeper as a source of fresh water, as well as the cave and quarry approximately 200m west of the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse.