0088. South Africa - Cape Agulhas Lighthouse

The Cape Agulhas Lighthouse is South Africa's third oldest Light Station and second oldest surviving Lighthouse (after Green Point Light).  The Lighthouse marks the Southernmost point of Africa and is located at the junction of the Atlantic and Indian Ocean.


This historic light, was de-activated in 1968 when the sandstone walls made the tower appear unsafe.  In 1988, the Lighthouse was completely restored and re-activated.  In Mar'99, the Lighthouse celebrated its 150th anniversary celebration.  The Lighthouse is located on the point of the Cape, about 8 km South of Hotagterklip.

South African Post commemorated the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse by the release of 40c stamp on 9-Jun-1988

Built in 1849, the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse:

• Tower is sandstone 
• Tower is painted WHITE with two RED HORIZONTAL bands
• Height is 27 meters
• Colour scheme of LIGHT is WHITE
• Light character is a FLASH every 5 seconds

0087. South Africa - Green Point Lighthouse

The Green Point Light is located in Western Cape Beach in Cape Town.  It is South Africa's oldest Lighthouse which was increased in height in 1865.  The Lighthouse is often called Mouille Point Light, although there was a different Lighthouse with that name from 1842 to 1908.

Also, there is another Green Point Light Eastern South Africa. 

South African Post commemorated the Green Point Light by the release of 30c stamp on 9-Jun-1988 

Built in 1824, the Green Point Light:

• Tower is SQUARE 4-storey brick 
• Tower is painted WHITE
• North and West faces of the Tower are painted BOLD RED and WHITE DIAGONAL bands
• Watch room painted RED
• Lantern painted WHITE
• Height is 16 meters
• Colour scheme of LIGHT is WHITE
• Light character is a FLASH every 10 seconds

0086. Aruba - California (Noordwestpunt) Lighthouse

The California (Noordwestpunt) Lighthouse is located about 1 km South-East of the Northern point of the Aruba Island.  The Lighthouse is accessible by paved road.  The Lighthouse is nick-named for the British steamship California, which wrecked here in 1891.  In 2004, the Lighthouse is repaired and repainted.

The 1-storey keeper's house has been expanded into a popular Italian restaurant with a Multi-lingual name, La Trattoria el Faro Blanco. 

Aruba Post commemorated the California (Noordwestpunt) Lighthouse by the release of 25c definitive stamp on 17-Jul-1987 

Built in 1916, the California (Noordwestpunt) Lighthouse:

• Tower is stone
• Tower is on a OCTAGONAL base
• Tower has double gallery
• Tower is UNPAINTED
• Lantern painted BLACK
• Height is 30 meters

0085. Trinidad and Tobago - Chacachacare Lighthouse

The Chacachacare Lighthouse is one of the highest in the Americas.  The Lighthouse is built atop a steep mountain with a spectacular view.  The Island, site of a leper colony from 1922 to 1948, is un-inhabited except for periodic visits from the Lighthouse Service staff.

The Lighthouse is located on the Island of Chacachacare on the East side of the Dragon's Mouth strait, off the North-Westernmost tip of Trinidad and Tobago.  The Lighthouse is accessible only by boat. 

Trinidad and Tobago Post commemorated the Chacachacare by the release of $3.75 stamp depicting the Lighthouse in its original context and $5.25 stamp depicting the Lighthouse in its recent form on 2003 

Built in 1897, the Chacachacare Lighthouse:

• Tower is ROUND
• Tower is painted WHITE
• Lantern is painted RED
• Height is 15 meters
• Colour scheme of LIGHT is WHITE
• Light character is a FLASH every 10 seconds

0084. Trinidad and Tobago - Port of Spain Lighthouse

The Port-of-Spain Lighthouse was built at the base of the St. Vincent Jetty.  As the shoreline has been extended, the purpose of the light has been lost.  The Lighthouse was located on South Quay Drive in downtown Port-of-Spain, the capital of Trinidad and Tobago.

In 2005, the Lighthouse was repainted in a colorful pattern honoring Trinidad and Tobago's World Cup Soccer team.  In 2006, again, the Lighthouse was painted to publicize the Cricket World Cup played in Trinidad in 2007.

Trinidad and Tobago Post commemorated the Port-of-Spain Lighthouse by the release of $1.00 stamp depicting the Lighthouse in its original context and $4.50 stamp depicting the Lighthouse in its recent form on 2003

Built in 1880, the Port-of-Spain Lighthouse:

• Tower is HEXAGONAL
• Lantern is at the top of the Tower
• Gallery is in the middle of the Tower
• Tower is painted WHITE with RED & BLACK trim
• Height is 20 meters

0083. Alderney - Les Casquets Lighthouse (1952 - Electrification Light Source)

The Les Casquets Lighthouse was converted to Electric Light during 1952, with the installation of a 2830 Kilocandela lamp.  The lamp is unusual in that, it rotates counter-clockwise.  

Guernsey Postal Administration commemorated the Golden Jubilee of Electrification of the Les Casquets Lighthouse by the release of 65p stamp on 30-Jul-2002 which depicts the Electrification of the Lighthouse.

0082. Alderney - Les Casquets Lighthouse (1818 - Revolving Apparatus Light Source)

The Les Casquets Lighthouse was upgraded with an apparatus to rotate a beam of light in 1818.  This had a clockwork mechanism which was wound up every hour and a half and gave 1 (one) flash every 15 seconds.

On 31-Oct-1823, the Lighthouses were badly damaged due to severe storm.  The towers were raised by 10 meters in 1854 and equipped with lamps which gave three slow flashes every half minute.  In 1877, the North-West Tower was raised and the lights in the other two nearby towers discontinued.

Guernsey Postal Administration commemorated the Golden Jubilee of Electrification of the Les Casquets Lighthouse by the release of 45p stamp on 30-Jul-2002 which depicts the Revolving Apparatus Light Source of the Lighthouse.

0081. Alderney - Les Casquets Lighthouse (1790 - Argand Lamp Light Source)

The Oil Lamps of Les Casquets Lighthouse were converted to metal reflectors and Argand Lamps  on 25-Nov-1790. 

Guernsey Postal Administration commemorated the Golden Jubilee of Electrification of the Les Casquets Lighthouse by the release of 36p stamp on 30-Jul-2002 which depicts the Argand Lamp Light Source of the Lighthouse.

0080. Alderney - Les Casquets Lighthouse (1779 - Oil Lantern Light Source)

The Coal Fired Les Casquets Lighthouse were converted to Oil Lamps with metal reflectors which were first used on 25-Nov-1790. 

Guernsey Postal Administration commemorated the Golden Jubilee of Electrification of the Les Casquets Lighthouse by the release of 27p stamp on 30-Jul-2002 which depicts the Copper framed Oil Lantern Light Source of the Lighthouse.

0079. Alderney - Les Casquets Lighthouse (1725 - Coal Fire Light Source)

Alderney is surrounded by sea and the Lighthouses provide the light for ships to pass safely through a group of rocks known as Les Casquets.  There are a group of rocks about 13 kms West of Alderney.


The active tower is the North-Westernmost of three towers built in 1723-24.  The remaining two towers have been inactive since 1877.  During World War II, the Germans used the light station as an observation post and transmitter site, which attracted commando raids by British forces in 1942-43.  The Lighthouse is accessible only by helicopter.

The Lighthouse started operation on 30-Oct-1724, and there were three towers each lit by Coal Fires called St Peter, St Thomas and the Dungeon.  Three stone towers were built to give the lights a distinctive appearance which would not be confused with Lighthouses in nearby France.

The towers were built by Thomas Le Cocq, owner of the rocks, under the licence from Trinity House and who was paid a Half penny per ton of ship when vessels passed the rocks and in turn he paid Trinity House 50 pounds per year for the right to run the lighthouses.  The Lighthouses were reverted back to Trinity House in 1785.

Guernsey Postal Administration commemorated the Golden Jubilee of Electrification of the Les Casquets Lighthouse by the release of 22p stamp on 30-Jul-2002 which depicts the Coal Fire Light Source of the Lighthouse.

Built in 1723, the Les Casquets Lighthouse:

• Tower is CYLINDRICAL stone
• Tower is painted WHITE and RED HORIZONTAL bands
• Lantern painted RED
• Height is 23 meters
• Colour scheme of LIGHT is WHITE
• Light character is 5 (five) FLASHES separated by 3.7 seconds every 30 seconds