Richmond River

The Richmond River Lighthouse is very similiar to Fingal Head, both lights having had their adjoining rooms removed. Tacking Point and Crowdy Head Lighthouses have retained their adjoining rooms, Clarence River was replaced and demolished in 1955. All were designed by Colonial architect James Barnett and constructed between 1878 and 1880 to the same design using 4th order Chance lanterns and optics. Tenders were called for construction of the 17ft circular stone tower and keepers cottage in 1878, it was built in 1879 and exhibited in 1880. The location of the light allowed construction of a short tower while still achieving a focal plane height of 115 feet.
The first apparatus was a Chance Bros fixed 4th order catadioptric light of approximately 1000 candelas. The light was visible for twelve miles in clear weather.
The light was run in conjunction with the local Pilot Station and therefore only needed one keeper.
A two wick oil burner provided the light source up until conversion to automatic acetylene gas operation in 1920. This allowed the removal of the keeper. Gas remained the illuminant until conversion to mains electricity operation in the 1960s.