Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00074:reg:2023:p13
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00074
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2023 (pt 13/15)
Character Range: 33098–35872

order apparatus, to illuminate an arc of 180°, & to be fitted with totally reflecting glass mirrors. The lamp to be fitted with three burners & spare reservoir & tubing. The burners to be fitted with 2 wicks, & without the central dispersers, to be fitted with Farquhars chimneys, & the level of the oil to stand at a distance of two inches below the top of the burner. The apparatus to be adjusted to an elevation of 250 feet [sic].'[xxiv]

It is difficult to fix an exact construction date of the Goods Island lighthouse. G P Heath's Torres Strait sailing directions, published in the 1885 Pugh's Almanac, stated that the "temporary light would be replaced in the ensuing year".[xxv]
In December 1886, a notice appeared in the Queensland Telegraph newspaper stating: "Goode Island Lighthouse- This lighthouse which has been constructed in sections in Brisbane, will be forwarded to its destination by the next steamer leaving for Thursday Island. It will, when erected on Goode Island be a vast improvement on the present light which marks the entrance into the harbour at Thursday Island."[xxvi]
This was followed in 1887 by the publication of a 'Notice to Mariners' stating:

    "Goode Island- Exhibition of Permanent Light; Discontinuation of Temporary Light….The Queensland Government has given further notice, that on 22nd March, 1887, the permanent light will be exhibited from a lighthouse erected on the western hill (327 feet) of Goode Island, near Tucker Point, and that the temporary light would then be discontinued…..The signal station, heretofore situated on a hill near the centre of Goode Island, has been transferred to the western hill."[xxvii]

It is, therefore, probable that the lighthouse was erected between about December 1886 and March 1887.
Equipment when built
Upon completion, Goods Island Lighthouse stood as a timber framed, corrugated iron-clad structure. Apart from its heavy cross-bracing, the tower was otherwise similar to the previous iron-plated design for lighthouses in Australia built at that time. The sheeting was specially formed with tapering corrugations to suit the conical shape of the tower.[xxviii] As Goods Island was elevated in parts, there was no need for the lighthouse to be particularly tall. The tower was just below 5 metres high and located 105 metres above sea level.

The tower was fitted with the specified 4th Order Chance Brothers dioptric with a fixed light, a flasher, and a 'totally reflecting' glass mirror.[xxix] The light covered more than 180 degrees. The light was described as being visible between the bearings of north east by east through south and south west and would be visible in fine weather for 24 miles.[xxx] Goods Island was the fourth lighthouse of a total of only nine of this type