Description

Date commissioned: 4 March 1919
Height of tower: 33 metres

Architect/builder: Chance Brothers
Primary structure material of construction: Circular cast-iron tower tapering to the top, painted white, with white lantern house.
Character of light: Group flashing 4 every 30 seconds
Heritage status: Being older than 60 years, the lighthouse is protected under the National Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999.
Inhabited/manned: Yes
Open to public: Yes

Slangkoppunt Lighthouse is the tallest cast iron lighthouse on the South African coast. Its name is derived from the Slangkop (“Snake Head”) hill directly behind the lighthouse.

This coastline has many reefs and headlands that stretch far out into the ocean, resulting in hug waves that have wrecked many a fine vessel. The more famous vessels that have come to grief in this area include the SS Kakapo, which ran ashore on the southern end of Chapman’s Bay in 1900 during a north-west gale; the SS Clan Munroe, which wrecked to the north of the lighthouse in 1905; the Oakburn, which wrecked on Duiker Point in 1906 in thick fog; and the SS Maori, which wrecked in thick fog in 1909 resulting in the loss of thirty-two lives.

More information here.