The plaque/Historic Marker reads:
Smoky Cape Lighthouse
Captain James Cook sighted and named Smoky Cape on Sunday 13 May 1770
Smoky Cape Light was first exhibited on Sunday 15 April 1891
In 1791, convicts built Australia's first manned light, a wood fired beacon on the south head of Sydney Harbour. This eventually became the site for for Australia's first light tower, Macquarie Lighthouse in 1818.
In 1886, Alexander Kethel, member for West Sydney proposed the need for a light at Smoky Cape. James Barnet the Colonial Architect was summoned to design and have the light built. Cecil W. Darley, Engineer in Chief took over from Barnet due to a change in administration before final plans were completed. Tenders were called on 2 January 1889 and a contract was awarded to Messers Oakes and Co. Unfortunately Mr Oakes died during the construction, but the work was carried on by his executors.
The cost of construction, including tower, optical apparatus, quarters and ancillary buildings, amounted to £1600.
The light still operates from the original lens and lantern. however in 1962 when the light was converted to electric operation, the clockwork weight driven machinery was removed together with the vaporised kerosene lamp.
Diagram of the Smoky Cape Lighthouse, from the sign
The current characteristics of the light are:
POSITION: Latitude 30 deg 55.4 min South
Longitude 153 deg 05.2 East
CHARACTER: Flashing (3) ever 20 seconds
Length of flash, 0.1 seconds
Short Eclipse 3.1 seconds
Long Eclipse 13.5 seconds
LENS: 920 mm focal radius, 9 panels, catadioptric
One revolution every 60 seconds
LAMP: 120 volts, 1000 watt, tungsten halogen
INTENSITY: 1,000,000 candelas
RANGE: Nominal 25 nautical miles
Geographical 28 nautical miles
ELEVATION: 120 metres above sea level
Visited: 1200 - 1230, Sunday, 30 April, 2017
[While in the area, hosting a CITO Event.]