Les Mamelles Lighthouse
Location | Ouakam, Dakar, Senegal |
---|---|
Coordinates | 14°43′25.7″N 17°30′06.6″W / 14.723806°N 17.501833°W |
Tower | |
Constructed | 1864 |
Height | 16 metres (52 ft) |
Light | |
Focal height | 120 metres (390 ft) |
Lens | second order Fresnel lens |
Range | 31 nautical miles (57 km; 36 mi) |
Characteristic | Fl W 5s |
Les Mamelles Lighthouse (
It is located on the higher of the
Description
The completely white lighthouse consists of a 16 metres (52 ft)) cylindrical tower attached to the seaward side of a two-storey building. The ground floor contains the machine room housing a generator and battery backup set. On the second floor is the watch room, which is used by the duty keepers during the night. A spiral staircase climbs up to the lantern room, containing the Barbier, Benard, et Turenne 2nd order Fresnel lens that floats in a bath of mercury. It is illuminated by a 1000 watt halogen lamp operating on alternating current at 220 volts. The light produces a white flash every five seconds at a focal height of 120 metres (390 ft). With a nominal range of 31 nautical miles (57 km; 36 mi), it is one of the most powerful in Africa.[1][3]
Initially fuelled with oil, the light is now electrified, but remains manned as it is not automated.
The lighthouse is open to the public, with guided tours offered by the lighthouse keepers. Views from the lantern gallery provide panoramic views of the entire peninsula, including Almadies, N'Gor, Ouakam, and the African Renaissance Monument which is located on the second of the Deux Mamelles hills.
It is maintained by the lighthouses and beacons division (French: subdivision des Phares et Balises) of the Dakar Port authority. It is registered under the international Admiralty number D3004 and has the NGA identifier of 113-24392.[1][3]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Senegal". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
- ISBN 978-1-57785-660-3.
- ^ List of Lights. United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. 2015. p. 434.