Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01461:reg:2004:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01461
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2004 (pt 1/2)
Character Range: 31390–34394

2004         Mersey Bluff Lighthouse listed on Commonwealth Heritage List.

  3.7 Changes and conservation over time
Due to advances in lighthouse technology over the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, the Mersey Bluff Lighthouse has undergone a number of changes, both technological and physical, to improve its function as a marine AtoN.

The Brewis Report

Commander C.R.W.Brewis, RN 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 decision-making on lighthouse use across the country.
Below is the report Brewis collated on his visit to the Mersey Bluff Lighthouse, and his accompanying recommendations.[15]

MERSEY BLUFF LIGHT
(20 miles from Low Head.)
Lat. 41º 9' S., Long. 146º 23' E., Charts Nos. 1695a and 1079.- Established in the year 1889,
and recently converted to acetylene.
    Signal station by day. Flags. Connected by telephone with Devonport.
    Character.- One white, with red sectors, fixed dioptric, about 500 c.p. Illuminant, acetylene gas.
Colt seven-day acetylene generator.
    Brick tower, 42 feet. Height of focal plane, 116 feet above high water. Visible – white, in clear
weather, 16 nautical miles; red, 7 miles.
    Condition and State of Effciency.- The light-house tower, apparatus, and dwellings are in servicable
condition.
    The light requires to be given a more distinctive character.
    There are two light-keepers at this station. Until recently there were three. There is no necessity
for more than one light-keeper, as the light is of an unwatched character, and the staff should be regulated
accordingly.
    Communication.- By road, 2 miles to Devonport. Quarterly by steamer, carrying stores by contract.
    Tide Signals.- Tide signals have been established recently in the light-house reserve, and an arrange-
ment entered into by the Mersey Marine Board with the light-keeper's family for the display of the signals.
    Leading Lights.- The Harbour Leading Lights which are situated near the wharves, and 2 miles
from the Bluff, are at present attended at sunset and daybreak by the Mersey Bluff light-keepers.
These are not coastal lights.
    RECOMMENDED .-
         (a)     The Mersey Bluff Light be given a distinctive character, by inserting a revolving or
           dropping shutter, actuated by clockwork mechanism (to be wound every sixteen hours),
           thus converting it from fixed to flashing. Light characteristic – two flashes, each of
           one-third second duration, in quick succession, every six seconds.
         (b)    A 70 c.p. burner be used, increasing the power to 1,200 c.p.
         (c)     The Harbour Leading Lights, acetylene (U.), being of a purely local character, be not
           taken over. They should be