0116. Srilanka - Devinuwara (Dondra) Lighthouse - Overprint #3

Srilanka Post commemorated the Devinuwara (Dondra) Lighthouse by the release of 2.00 (LKR) postage stamp with Overprint of 2.50 (LKR) on 12-Feb-1997.  

This is the 3rd one of the 4 Overprint(s) of  2.00 (LKR) Devinuwara (Dondra) Lighthouse stamp. 

NOTE : Details about this Lighthouse is available in my Post No.0113....

0115. Srilanka - Devinuwara (Dondra) Lighthouse - Overprint #2

Srilanka Post commemorated the Devinuwara (Dondra) Lighthouse by the release of 2.00 (LKR) postage stamp with Overprint of 2.50 (LKR) on 12-Feb-1997.  

This is the 2nd one of the 4 Overprint(s) of  2.00 (LKR) Devinuwara (Dondra) Lighthouse stamp. 

NOTE : Details about this Lighthouse is available in my Post No.0113....

0114. Srilanka - Devinuwara (Dondra) Lighthouse - Overprint #1

Srilanka Post commemorated the Devinuwara (Dondra) Lighthouse by the release of 2.00 (LKR) postage stamp with Overprint of 2.50 (LKR) on 12-Feb-1997.  

This is the 1st one of the 4 Overprint(s) of  2.00 (LKR) Devinuwara (Dondra) Lighthouse stamp. 

NOTE : Details about this Lighthouse is available in my Post No.0113....

0113. Srilanka - Devinuwara (Dondra) Lighthouse

Devinuwara (Dondra) Lighthouse is located on the Island of Srilanka.  The Lighthouse is located 6km South-East of the town of Matara.  The Lighthouse is surrounded by coconut trees, cooling grass and fresh breeze from Indian Ocean.

The Lighthouse was built during the British colonial period from 1796-1948.  It was designed by James Douglass in 1889 and constructed by William Douglass.  The Lighthouse marks the Southern most extremity of the Srilankan Island and it is the tallest lighthouse in Srilanka.

The name 'Dondra' is a synonym for Devi-Nuwara.  'Devi' meaning Gods and 'Nuwara' meaning City.  Thus, Dondra derived to mean 'City of the Gods'.  The Lighthouse is still active and it is maintained by the Srilankan Ports Authority.  The keeper's bungalow stands next to the tall structure. 

Srilanka Post commemorated the Devinuwara (Dondra) Lighthouse by the release of 2.00 (LKR) postage stamp on 22-Jan-1996 and 2.50 (LKR) postage stamp on 12-Feb-1997. 

Built in 1890, the Devinuwara Lighthouse:

• Tower is OCTAGONAL brick
• Tower has a lantern and gallery
• Tower painted WHITE
• Height is 49 meters
• Colour scheme of LIGHT is WHITE
• Light character is a FLASH every 5 seconds

0112. Srilanka - Great Basses Lighthouse

Great Basses Lighthouse is an off-shore Lighthouse in the South of Srilanka.  The Lighthouse is operated and maintained by the Srilanka Navy.  The Lighthouse is located on a reef 13km off the coast of Yala National Park, near Little Basses Reef Lighthouse.

The Great Basses Lighthouse is the most famous off-shore Lighthouse(s) of Asia.

The Lighthouse was designed by Alexander Gordon and James Nicholas Douglass.  In 2004, the Lighthouse withstood to Tsunami with modest damage. 

Srilanka Post commemorated the Great Basses Lighthouse by the release of 0.75 cents postage stamp on 22-Jan-1996. 

Built in 1873, the Great Basses Lighthouse:

• Tower is ROUND granite
• Tower has a lantern and double gallery
• Tower painted WHITE
• Height is 37 meters
• Colour scheme of LIGHT is WHITE
• Light character is a FLASH every 15 seconds
• Lighthouse is accessible only by boat

0111. Srilanka - Little Basses Lighthouse

Little Basses Lighthouse is an off-shore Lighthouse in the South of Srilanka.  The Lighthouse is located on a reef called Kuda Ravana Kotuwa.  The Lighthouse is named as Little Basses when British invaded Ceylon as the Lighthouse is in close proximity to Great Basses Reef Lighthouse.

These two Lighthouse(s), the Great Basses Lighthouse and Little Basses Lighthouse are among the most famous off-shore Lighthouse(s) of Asia.

The Lighthouse was designed by James Nicholas Douglass and built by William Douglass.  In 2004, the Lighthouse withstood to Tsunami with modest damage. 

Srilanka Post commemorated the Little Basses Lighthouse by the release of 0.50 cents postage stamp on 22-Jan-1996. 

Built in 1878, the Little Basses Lighthouse:

• Tower is ROUND granite
• Tower has a lantern and double gallery
• Tower painted WHITE with a BLACK HORIZONTAL band
• Height is 37 meters
• Colour scheme of LIGHT is WHITE
• Light character is 2 (two) quick FLASHES every 10 seconds
• Lighthouse is accessible only by boat

0110. Lithuania - Pervalka Lighthouse (Maxi Card)

Lithuania Post  commemorated  the  Pervalka  Lighthouse  by   the  release  of 1 Litas stamp on 15-Mar-2003. 

My sincere thanks to Rasa Mazeikiene of Lithuania for the Maxi Card.... 

NOTE : Details about this Lighthouse is available in my Post No.0060....

0109. India - Fort Aguada Lighthouse

Fort Aguada Lighthouse is located in Fort Aguada, a 16th century Portuguese fortification, about 10 km West of Panaji, the capital of the Goa State. 

The Fort Aguada built in 1612 comprises a Lower Fort with bastions all around and an Upper Fort.  It skirts the seashore and ascends the summit of the bare rocky, upland called Aguada Point.  The Upper Fort was built as a vantage point to serve the ships.  While the Lower Fort offers a safe berth to Portuguese Ships.  The Upper Fort comprises of Moat, an underground Water Storage Chamber, Lighthouse, Gun powder room and Bastions. 

The word Aguada means 'Watering Place' in Portuguese.  The Water Tank storage capacity is 23,76,000 gallons.  It has 5 division with a support of 16 huge columns and a staircase to descend.  The Lighthouse, at initial stage used to emit light once in 7 minutes. In 1834, updated to emit light creating eclipse every 30 seconds.

In 1841, an Oil lamp was exhibited from a mast erected inside Aguada Fort - built by the Portuguese.  The circular masonry Lighthouse tower was built in 1864 and an Wick Lamp with 6th order optic was placed on it.  In 1906, PV equipment with a 4th order optic replaced the oil lamp.  The equipment were of Portuguese origin.

The Lighthouse was a wonderful old building and was in service till 1970s. 

The Fort Aguada Lighthouse is seen in the backdrop in the postage stamp released by India Post on 19-Dec-2011 to commemorate the Golden Jubilee celebration of Goa (where the lighthouse is located) Liberation Day.

Built in 1864, the Fort Aguada Lighthouse:

• Tower is ROUND stone
• Tower, lantern and gallery are painted WHITE
• Height is 13 meters

0108. Guernsey - Les Casquets Lighthouse (Maxi Card)

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 Post commemorated the Les Casquets Lighthouse by the release of 6p (penny) postage stamp on 10-Feb-1976.

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

0107. Guernsey - Quesnard (Alderney) Lighthouse (Maxi Card)

The Quesnard (Alderney) Lighthouse is located in a small island, Alderney about 32 km North-East of Guernsey.  The Alderney island is accessible by air or by ferry.  The Lighthouse guards the Alderney Race, the 16km wide channel between Alderney and Cape de la Hague, the North-West corner of the Cotentin Peninsula.

The Alderney Race has some of the fastest and most dangerous tidal currents in the World.

Guernsey Post commemorated the Quesnard (Alderney) Lighthouse by the release of 11p (penny) postage stamp on 10-Feb-1976.

Built in 1912, the Quesnard (Alderney) Lighthouse:

• Tower is stone
• Tower is painted WHITE with single broad BLACK HORIZONTAL band
• Height is 32 meters
• Colour scheme of LIGHT is WHITE
• Light character is 4 (four) FLASHES separated by 2.3 secs, every 15 seconds