Vypin lighthouse

Vypin Lighthouse
Cochin Lighthouse

Puthuvype Lighthouse, 2016
Vypin Lighthouse
Cochin Lighthouse
Kerala
Location Vypin, Kerala
India
Coordinates 9°59′54″N 76°13′18″E / 9.998397°N 76.221599°E / 9.998397; 76.221599Coordinates: 9°59′54″N 76°13′18″E / 9.998397°N 76.221599°E / 9.998397; 76.221599
Year first constructed 1839 (first)
Year first lit 1979 (current)
Construction concrete tower
Tower shape octagonal prism tower with balcony and lantern
Markings / pattern white and red horizontal bands, white lantern
Height 46 metres (151 ft)
Focal height 49 metres (161 ft)
Light source mains power
Range 28 nautical miles (52 km; 32 mi)
Characteristic Fl (4) W 20s.
Admiralty number F0698
NGA number 27528
ARLHS number IND-083[1]

The Vypin lighthouse or Cochin lighthouse[2] is situated at Puthuvype in Vypin island, Kerala. Even though the current lighthouse started functioning only by 15 November 1979, the Cochin lighthouse has a long history. The lighthouse which was functioning in Fort Kochi from 1839 was shifted to Puthuvype in 1979.

Technical details

The tower has a height of 43 meters and is made of double layered concrete. The light beam has the range of 28 nautical miles.[3]

History

The old light at Fort Kochi

The image on the left is that of the Fort Kochi lighthouse taken between 1850 and 1897. The image on the right is the structure present at the site in 2013.

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

In 1936, a 25 meter tall steel tower was installed with a gas light. 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]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of India: Kerala and Karnataka". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Cochin District". DGLL. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  3. ↑ "Lighthouses of India: Kerala and Karnataka". http://www.unc.edu. www.unc.edu. Retrieved 19 September 2014. External link in |website= (help)
  4. ↑ http://www.dgllnoida.gov.in/cochin/cochin.html
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