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Image:
Current Album: Aroundthebay
Description: Location: Brigus, Conception Bay
Photo submitted by the Skipper of the vessel "Mingulay".
The Newfoundland Government received a petition for a lighthouse at North Head, Brigus in 1878. Construction of the lighthouse began in 1882. The Government purchased the land on which the lighthouse stands from Thomas Hawe for $60.00 in 1883. The land had been in the family of Mr. Hawe for 40 years, and was known as Hawe’s Point.
The lighthouse was completed and ready for operation by March of 1885. The circular iron tower was 9.5 meters (31 feet) high. It supported a lantern with triangular glazing and a cap with a ball shaped finial. A two-story keeper’s house with a mansard roof was attached to the light tower. Both structures were painted with red and white vertical stripes.
The fixed white light was lit with one Argand burner in a sixth-order dioptric lens. It had a focal point 34.5 meters (113 feet) above sea level and was visible for 12 miles. In 1931 the light was changed to electric and was operated from a switch located near the government wharf, which was operated by Walter Wilcox. The keepers moved back into the community, and the dwelling house was torn down.
The first keeper was William W. Horwood. Samuel Wilcox succeeded him, in 1897. Samuel’s son, Walter, took over as light keeper around 1916.
In 1956, recommendations were made that the light at North Head and Brigus wharf light should be combined, and looked after by one person. The caretaker resigned in 1966 and was succeeded by Thomas C. Roberts.
Source: Fisheries and Oceans of Canada
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