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Morant Point Lighthouse
Jamaica
Morant Point Lighthouse is on the easternmost tip of Jamaica.
Erected in 1841 by Kru men from Africa (who were among the free Africans brought to Jamaica in the period following emancipation), it is the oldest lighthouse on the island and the first cast iron lighthouse built in the Western Hemisphere.
It consists of a 30 m (100 ft) iron tube, cast in London in 1841, which has a diameter of 5 m (18 ft) at the base and 3 m (11 ft) at the cap with lantern and gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands. To protect against surf during hurricanes, a semicircular masonry wall has been built around the seaward side of the base of the lighthouse.
It was designed by Alexander Gordon and built by George Grove, later a leading writer on music.
It is listed by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust as a historic monument, being "of considerable interest to historians of industrial technology".
The lighthouse is listed by the Jamaica National Trust Commission as one of the historic monuments of St Thomas, being 'of considerable interest to historians of industrial technology'.
| Manufacture Date | 1889 |
|---|---|
| Lighthouse Construction | 1841 |
| Country | Jamaica |
| Commissioning Body | Possibly Port of Jamica |
| Lens Order | Holophotal |
| Lens Type | Revolving |
| Status | publish |
| Light Character | Fl (3) W 20s.[2] |
| Lighthouse Markings | White/red horizontal bands up 30m tower. |
| Lighthouse Parts | None. |
| Management Body Ports Authority | Port Authority of Jamaica |
| Coastal Erosion Vulnerability | |
| Condition Observations | Good, repainted in last few years. |
| Open Status (Site) | Open |
| Open Status (Tower) | Closed |
| Coordinates | 17.9183684667,-76.1843640846 |
| Other | Oldest lighthouse in Jamaica. First cast iron lighthouse in western hemisphere. Listed by Jamaican National Heritage Trust. At end of a long, rough track but can be visited. Eastern most point of Jamaica. Some sources say you can go in the tower "by arrangement with the keeper". There is a semi-circular wall around the seaward side to help protect the tower from waves during the hurricane season. It is unknown when this was built. ARLHS JAM-004; Admiralty J5282; NGA 13860. |