Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01613:front:0:p11
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01613
Segment Type: other
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Character Range: 29482–32200

am rejoiced to find that the land upon which you have settled is of so productive a character, and it will afford me much pleasure to do all I can for the benefit of your neighbourhood….
    This very spot, Table Cape, is a striking instance of what may be done by individual enterprise when facilities are accorded for the cultivation of soil.[12]

A schoolroom, church, residential dwellings and farms were established on Table Cape as a steady population thrived over the 19th and 20th centuries.[13]

  3.5 Planning a lighthouse
Why Table Cape?
By the late 1870s and early 1880s, the adjacent port of Wynyard had grown into the biggest port along the north-west coast. Between 1869-1870, signal lamps, also known as iron beacons, were installed near the mouth of the Inglis River. However, by the mid-to-late 19th century, calls for a lighthouse had increased following the wrecking of the Emma Prescott (1867) and the Orson (1884).[14]

The Tasmanian newspaper detailed these calls, reporting:

    In March, 1875, Captain Barnard, R.N., Master Warden of the Hobart Board (presumably having received some urgent representations on the subject), wrote to the Launceston Board asking that circulars should be sent to masters of coasting and intercolonial vessels requesting information as to the need and most advantageous site of a lighthouse for the coastline in question. The result was that 31 replies were received, urging the erection of a light – twenty-four advocating the site of Table Cape, six Rocky Cape, and one Circular Head."[15]

Rocky Head/Cape, which had garnered some support amongst shipmasters, lay approximately 20 km north-west of Table Cape along the Tasmanian coastline. However the site was considered unwise for a light due to the lack of anchorage nearby, and the presence of a 'dangerous rock' with which a vessel could strike itself on whilst travelling by the light.[16]
Table Cape was recognised as a prime position to alert incoming vessels to the west of Wynyard's port. Rising approximately 500 ft. above sea level, the Cape offered a good vantage over the southern region of the Bass Strait, as well as suitable anchorage for vessels.[17]

Mr Climie reportedly stated at a meeting of the Launceston Marine Board:

    …there is a point on the face of the cliff well suited for a light. If a point could be got at about 250ft. above sea level it would be free from the fogs generally and no doubt a light placed on Table Cape at that elevation would be of great benefit to the coast.[18]

Despite the ever-insistent requests for a lighthouse, the various marine boards of Tasmania were reluctant to action the works claiming "there was no necessity at present for a light at Table