Vypin Lighthouse

Lighthouse in Kerala, India

Lighthouse

9°59′54″N 76°13′18″E / 9.998397°N 76.221599°E / 9.998397; 76.221599TowerConstructed1839 (first)Constructionconcrete towerHeight46 metres (151 ft)Shapeoctagonal tower with balcony and lanternMarkingswhite and red horizontal bands, white lanternLightFirst lit1979 (current)Focal height49 metres (161 ft)Range28 nautical miles (52 km; 32 mi)CharacteristicFl (4) W 20s.

The Vypin Lighthouse or Cochin Lighthouse^[1]^[2] is situated at Puthuvype in Kochi, Kerala. India. It started as an oil-fuelled lamp at Fort Kochi in 1839, and was updated over the years. It was replaced by a structure in Puthuvype in 1979. It is the tallest lighthouse in Kerala.

The lighthouse, near Putuvype beach, is open to visitors.

Technical details

The tower is 46 metres (151 ft) high, and is made of double-layered concrete. The light beam is visible at 28 nautical miles (52 km; 32 mi).^[3]

History

Left: the Fort Kochi Lighthouse, between 1850 and 1897. Right: the structure in 2013.

An oil lamp light started functioning at Fort Kochi in 1839. In 1902, a new light and reflecting mechanism was introduced. Modifications were made in 1914. In the 1920s, a new 10-meter tall tower was erected.

In 1936, a 25-meter-tall steel tower was installed with a gaslight. In 1966, a mechanism called sun valve was introduced. Plans to construct a taller and brighter light and a radio beacon were drawn up. Since there was a paucity of land, the new light was transferred to Puthuvype in the Vypin Island and the radio beacon was shifted to Azhikode.^[4]

References

^ "Cochin District". DGLL. Archived from the original on 17 September 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
^ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of India: Kerala and Karnataka". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
^ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of India: Kerala and Karnataka". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
^ "Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships". Archived from the original on 12 March 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2014.