Estevan Point

Infobox_Lighthouse


caption =
location = Hesquiat Peninsula, Vancouver Island, Canada
coordinates =
yearbuilt =
yearlit = 1910
automated =
yeardeactivated =
foundation =
construction = Concrete
shape = Octagonal tower with buttresses
marking = White tower with red lantern
height = 30.5
elevation = 37.5 m
lens = First order Fresnel by Chance Brothers
currentlens = Modern optic
intensity =
range =
characteristic = Fl.(2) 15 s
fogsignal =
admiralty =G5224
NGA =14084
ARLHS =CAN-173

Estevan point is a lighthouse located on the headland of the same name on the Hesquiat Pensinsula on Vancouver Island, Canada. It was established in 1910 as one in a series of buttressed lighthouses designed by engineer William P. Anderson. The lighthouse was constructed in concrete as a 30.5 metres tall octagonal tower supported by buttresses. Originally, a first order Fresnel lens made by Chance Brothers of England had been used but together with the lantern it was dismantled during the 1980s and was then donated to a regional museum in 2004. The light is still active though as of 2008 and emits a signal of a double flash every 15 seconds. The focal plane is located at 37.5 metres above sea level.cite web|url=http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/lighthouse/bc.htm|author=Rowlett, Russ|title=The Lighthouse Directory|accessdate=July 24|accessyear=2008]

History

The Spanish explorer Juan José Pérez Hernández. originating from Mallorca, traded with the natives of the region (the Nuu-chah-nulth people) when he explored the area in 1774 and named the headland "Punta San Esteban". Four years later, James Cook's expedition arrived in the Nootka Sound and made contact with the local population. [cite web|url=http://www.mvuchuck.com/early-bc-exploration.php|title=Early Exploration|publisher=Nootka Sound Service|accessdate=July 24|accessyear=2008]

During the Second World War, on June 20, 1942, the Estevan Point lighthouse was attacked by the Japanese submarine "I-26" but remained undamaged. [See Attacks on North America during World War II] cite web|url=http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/lighthouse/bc.htm|author=Rowlett, Russ|title=The Lighthouse Directory|accessdate=July 24|accessyear=2008]

Currently the Canadian Coast Guard uses Estevan Point as a station.

References

External links

* [http://www.fogwhistle.ca/bclights/map.gifMap of Estevan Point]