Cabra Island Lighthouse

For the lighthouse in Puerto Rico's Cabras Island, see Isla Cabras Light.
Cabra Island lighthouse
The lighthouse in 1903
Map
LocationCabra Island, Lubang, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines Edit this at Wikidata
Coordinates13°53′19″N 120°01′24″E / 13.8886°N 120.0233°E / 13.8886; 120.0233
Tower
Constructed1889
Constructionbrick masonry tower
Height20.5 metres (67 ft)
Shapesquare tower with balcony and lantern[1][2]
Markingswhite tower
Light
First lit1 March 1889 Edit this on Wikidata
Focal height66 metres (217 ft)
Lensfirst-order Fresnel lens
Range25 nautical miles (29 mi; 46 km)
CharacteristicOc W 5s.
Modern light Edit this at Wikidata
Constructionconcrete tower
Height20 metres (66 ft)
Shapecylindrical tower with balcony and beacon
Markingswhite tower
Power sourcesolar power Edit this on Wikidata

The Cabra Island Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse built on Cabra Island, the north-westernmost of the Lubang group of islands in Occidental Mindoro, Philippines. International vessels entering the Philippines from South China Sea were welcomed by the Cabra Light and directed either towards Manila Bay or the center of the archipelago through Verde Island Passage, one of busiest sea routes of the Philippines.

History

The lighthouse of Cabra was the first completed during Spain's revitalized program of lighthouse construction in the Philippines. Construction was started on May 3, 1885, and it was first lit on March 1, 1889.[3] It was also the first of the five first-order[broken anchor] lighthouses built by the Spaniards in the latter part of their colonization of the archipelago.

Cabra Island Lighthouse, March 2014

Description

The original light, visible for 25 nautical miles (29 mi; 46 km), was shown from a 67-foot (20 m) high square tower on the west angle of the station. It is visible around the entire horizon except where obscured by Lubang and Ambil Islands.

Current condition

The original lighthouse was replaced by the Philippine Coast Guard with a new solar-powered tower located next to the previous tower under its Maritime Safety Improvement Project.[4] After the replacement, the lighthouse was abandoned and left open for thieves and vandals. The expensive first-order lens were vandalized with the large front Fresnel lenses all gone.[5] The original bronze marker were stolen by thieves and is now replaced by the locals with a white board with the original inscriptions.[6] The roof of the keeper's house and utility rooms have since collapsed.[7][8] The lighthouse is closed to visitors due to its dilapidated state.[9]

See also

References

  • Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of the Philippines: Southwest Luzon". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  1. ^ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of the Philippines: Palawan". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
  2. ^ Isla Cabra Light. Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society's World List of Lights. Retrieved on 2010-06-06.
  3. ^ Noche, Manuel M., "Lonely Sentinels of the Sea, The Spanish Lighthouses in the Philippines", p.55. U.S.T. Publishing House, 2005.
  4. ^ de Lara, MJ (2008-01-10). "Old vs new : Faro de Punta de Isla Cabra standing beside its modern counterpart". Flickr. Retrieved on 2011-11-01.
  5. ^ Neikirk (2009-02-19). "Old lighthouse, Cabra Island, Philippines". Flickr. Retrieved on 2011-11-01.
  6. ^ "Isla de Cabra Lighthouse (Original marker)". Flickr. Retrieved on 2011-11-01.
  7. ^ "Cabra Island Lighthouse".
  8. ^ "Derelict, Abandoned. But still breathtaking". Flickr. Retrieved on 2011-11-01.
  9. ^ Boniol, Leti (May 8, 2014). "Laid-back in Lubang". Inquirer News. Retrieved May 11, 2017.