BEAN ROCK LIGHT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22405, 29 April 1936, Page 16

BEAN ROCK LIGHT

NEW INSTALLATION CABLE LAID FROM SHORE WORK OF ELECTRIFICATION The task of laying a submarine cable from the waterf/ont road to Bean Rock for tho electrification of the light there was accomplished yesterday morning. The new light, which will be about five times as f trong as the existing acetylene one, s expected to bo in operation about the end of next \\ eck. Tho 5000 ft. o:' cable imported by tho Auckland Harbour Board for tho purpose was in thi• form of a largo coil, weighing nine tons. It was mounted 011 a barge, which was towed by two launches. The shore end of tho cable was passed aslnro near Bastion Point and made fast t) a terminal pole on tho outside of tho load. The launches then towed tho barge slowly across tie harbour toward the rock, and the ciblo was paid out on to the sea-bed. Ca:o had to be taken over tho last few lrintlred feet, where tho harbour bed ri; es in the rocky formation on the si mmit of which tho beacon stands, and tho services of a diver were employed to lay the cable so as to ensure that no damage would be done to it by wave action. The last few feet of th) cable were then connected to the beacon. The new light will be of 350 candlepower, giving i beam of about 4000 candle-power alter passing through the lens of the lantern. The character of the light, which marks the harbour approaches with a, white beam, with green and red sectors on either side, will remain unchanged, and it will continuo to g ivo three one second flashes at secoi d intervals, every eight seconds, as at present. However, the flashing will bn produced by a shutter apparatus, instead of by the extinguishing of the flame. The shore end of the cable has yet to be connected with the Auckland Electric-Power Board's supply by means of a cable passing under the waterfront road, and the Hashing apparatus has tc be installed. The light will then be rjady for operation. Portion of the pre sent acetylene equipment will be left at the beacon for use in the event of an extended power failure.