Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L01231:reg:1971:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L01231
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 1971 (pt 1/2)
Character Range: 32851–35838

1971              Lighthouse de-staffed.
                  Keepers' residences demolished.

  3.8 Changes and conservation over time
The Cape Sorell Lighthouse underwent a number of changes over the decades since its construction—most significantly the conversion of the main light to solar power in the 1980s.
The Brewis Report
Commander CRW Brewis, retired naval surveyor, was commissioned in 1911 by the Commonwealth Government to report on the condition of existing lights and to recommend any additional ones. Brewis visited every lighthouse in Australia between June and December 1912, and produced a series of reports published in their final form in March 1913. These reports were the basis for future decisions made for the management of individual lighthouses.
Recommendations made by Brewis for Cape Sorell Lighthouse included alteration  of the light's character, an increase to the light's intensity, and the installation of a 55mm incandescent mantle and telephone communications.[24]
CAPE SORELL LIGHT.
(78 miles from West Point.)
Lat. 42º 11' S., Long. 145º 10' E., Chart No. 1079.- Established in the year 1899.
    Lloyd's Signal Station. Not connected by telephone.
    Character.- One flashing white and red alternately every 22 ½ seconds. Dioptric, 2nd Order.- White,
20,000 c.p.; red, 5,000 c.p. White, visible, in clear weather, 20 nautical miles; red, 12 miles.
    Brick tower, 100 feet. Height of focal plane, 186 feet above high water.
    Condition and State of Efficiency.- The light-house tower, and apparatus are in good condition.
The red flash in the light impairs its brilliancy. Red being the colour of danger, uniformity would be
secured if the alternate red flash were discontinued.
    The dwellings are in fair order, with the exception that the roofs and spouting are in need of repair.
The wooden tramway also requires extensive renewals.
    Communication.- The Pilot Station at Macquarie Heads is connected with Strahan by telephone.
The distance from the heads to Cape Sorell by beach and tramway is about 3 miles, and in a direct line
about 2.4 miles. No proposal has been considered for connecting Cape Sorell by telephone, but there are
no difficulties in the way. At present messages of an urgent nature are telephoned to the heads, and
conveyed to Cape Sorell by messenger.
    RECOMMENDED.-
         (a)     The red flashes be discontinued, converting the character of the light to one white, with
           red sector, flashing. Flash, three seconds duration every 22 ½ seconds. Red, visible
           from N. 25º W. to N. over Sloop Rocks. White elsewhere.
         (b)    The power of the light be increased from 20,000 to 120,000 c.p., and economy effected
           in the consumption of oil by installing a 55 mm. incandescent mantle; illuminant,
           vaporized kerosene.
         (c)     Telephone communication be established.

Alteration to the light
The following table details alterations made to the light at Cape