Büsum Lighthouse (German: Leuchtturm Büsum) is an active 20th century lighthouse located in Büsum a fishing and tourist town, which lies on North Sea coast of Schleswig-Holstein, in Germany. The current lighthouse is the second to be built in the town, two other separate breakwater lights mark the entrance of the small harbour from the North Sea.
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| Location | Büsum, Germany |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 54°07′36″N 8°51′30″E / 54.12675°N 8.85826°E |
| Tower | |
| Constructed | 1912  |
| Construction | cast iron |
| Automated | 1976 |
| Height | 21.4 metres (70 ft) |
| Operator | Wasserstraßen- und Schifffahrtsamt Tönning (1949–2021), Wasserstraßen- und Schifffahrtsamt Elbe-Nordsee (2021–) |
| Heritage | Heritage monument in Schleswig-Holstein |
| Light | |
| First lit | 1913 |
| Focal height | 22 metres (72 ft) |
| Range | 19 nautical miles (35 km; 22 mi) |
| Characteristic | Iso WR 6s |
History edit
The first lighthouse built in 1878 was simply a lantern mounted on a wooden post, which was fuelled by kerosene. A replica of this early aid to navigation, exists next to the local museum.[1]
The current lighthouse was constructed in 1912 and 1913,[2] and is made up of prefabricated cast iron sections, and is similar in design, although not as tall, as the lighthouses at Westerheversand, Hörnum and Pellworm.[1] Originally painted black, it did not receive its current red and white daymark colour scheme until 1952. The lantern has twin galleries with a roof of sheet copper.[3][4] The lighthouse at 21.4 metres, is higher than most buildings in the town, and stands 22 metres above mean high tide. It has a nominal range of 19 nautical miles and a light characteristic showing a white, red or green sector, isophase light of three seconds on, then three seconds off.[1]
In 2013, the centenary of the lighthouse was celebrated, when it was depicted on a 58-cent lighthouse stamp series by Deutsche Post the German postal service.[5]
Operated by the Water and Shipping Authority at Tönning, it is registered under the international Admiralty number B1606 and has the NGA identifier of 114-10580.[4][6]
Breakwater lights edit
Located on the harbour breakwaters of Büsum are two other lights. On the west mole is a 9-metre high red tower which displays an occulting red light. The east mole has a similar tower, painted green that displays an occulting green light.[1][6]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c d Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Germany: North Frisia". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
- ^ Schleswig-Holsteinisches Jahrbuch (in German). 1923. p. 1. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
- ^ "Büsum Light". Lighthouse Explorer. Lighthouse Digest. Archived from the original on 13 August 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
- ^ a b "Büsum". Maritime Signals (in German). WSV. Archived from the original on 18 May 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
- ^ "Lighthouse stamp society". Archived from the original on 9 August 2016. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
- ^ a b List of Lights, Pub. 114: British Isles, English Channel and North Sea (PDF). List of Lights. United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. 2015. p. 154.
External links edit
