Godley Head Lighthouse

This lighthouse was originally situated on the headland at the entrance to Lyttleton Harbour approximately 8km east of Lyttleton.
Lyttleton was originally known as Port Cooper until 1858 and it is as Port Cooper that the reference appears in the order books for the construction of a second order optic at Chance Brothers of Smethwick near Birmingham.

In 1849 a Captain Thomas had concluded that Godley Head would be an ideal site for a lighthouse for the approach to Canterbury.
The lighthouse and keepers cottage, made of locally quarried stone were completed in 1865.

The lighthouse was 10 metres back from the tip of the headland at an elevation of 129 metres above sea level. The light was visible for 54 kilometres out to sea.

The buildings were erected by a Mr McCosker and a Mr Rollin was sent from England to instal the optical apparatus.
The total cost was £4706 for tye construction and in 1907 the operational costs per annum were £340 with light dues of £3082 being collected.

In 1938 it was decided to build a coastal defence battery at Godley Head as WWII was looming and as the lighthouse and keepers cottage conflicted with the sighting of the guns it was decided both should be relocated. It was not until 1942 that the move took place with the lighthouse being moved down the cliff face.

The old 2nd order lantern from Cape Foulwind was used to house the 2nd order fixed lens from Pencarrow head on a newly built tower.

The light was connected to mains electricity in 1946 and was automated in 1976 when it was handed over to Lyttleton Harbour Board.

After damage from earthquakes in February and June 2011 it was decommissioned due to it's precarious situation on the cliff side.
The buildings and tower were gifted to the Department for Conservation in 2013 for possible removal.

Due to the precarious situation it was decided to remove the structure by helicopter however it weighed in excess of 2000kg and the helicopter could only lift a maximun of 1500kg.

The copper dome was separated (it alone weighed 900kg and was dented by rockfalls).

Eventually it was removed and placed into storage and now awaits funding for a possible rebuilding project.

After the removal of the light it was decided not to replace it however after persistence from a group of local mariners this was reversed and a new modern light was installed coming into operation in December 2015.