Georgetown Lighthouse, Guyana

Georgetown Lighthouse

Location	Water Street, Georgetown, Guyana[1]
Coordinates	6°49′25″N 58°09′52″W / 6.8236966°N 58.1643569°W / 6.8236966; -58.1643569
Tower
Constructed	1817 (first)[1]
Foundation	forty nine greenheart piles
Construction	stone tower[1]
Automated	clockwork[1]
Height	30 metres (98 ft)
Shape	tapered octagonal tower with balcony and lantern[1]
Markings	red and white vertical stripes[1]
Light
First lit	1830
Focal height	31.5 metres (103 ft)[1]
Characteristic	Flash every 60s, red or white depending on direction.[1]

The Georgetown Lighthouse was first built by the Dutch in 1817 and then rebuilt in 1830 to help guide ships into the Demerara River from the Atlantic Ocean. The 31 m (103 feet) high octagonal structure is a famous Georgetown, Guyana landmark with its distinct vertical red and white stripes. The Lighthouse, located on Water Street, is maintained by the National Trust of Guyana.^[2]

The brick structure was commissioned on 1 June 1830, when it replaced a wooden lighthouse that had been built on the same site by the Dutch. British engineers constructed the present lighthouse, reinforcing the building by placing it on a foundation of 49 greenheart piles, making it durable nearly 200 years later.

A floating light was placed at the Demerara bar in March 1838 and a system of signalling to the lighthouse was established. On 27 February 1838 a Committee of Pilotage was formed and entrusted with the signalling. Before establishment of the System of Signalling, a beacon had been erected on the East Coast Demerara and vessels entering had to contribute to the cost of constructing the beacon.

About a half mile east of Fort Groyne there was a block house which was used as a signal station for vessels arriving, and for signalling to Berbice. The coastal signalling was done by semaphore stations.

A steel balcony at the top of the Lighthouse offers a panoramic view of Georgetown and West Coast Demerara. You must climb 138 stairs to access the balcony.

3. https://www.guyanatimesinternational.com/the-lighthouse/

• The Georgetown Lighthouse.
• Photos.
• Georgetown Lighthouse, National Trust of Guyana, 2002–10.