macquarielighthouse

What fun! To get that height and distance from the NEW lighthouse, the photo must have been taken from the OLD one. Looking west, Sydney Harbour in background. c.1883 See www.flickr.com/photos/state-records-nsw/3793505443/ and www.flickr.com/photos/state-records-nsw/3793505537/ More - www.lighthouse.net.au/lights/nsw/Macquarie/Macquarie.htm#...

All those knobs in top hats - I wonder if one of them is the architect James Barnet - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Barnet . Perhaps the fellow with the pale topper and big nose?

Isn't it a great photo! I think you're right about it being taken from the old lighthouse. I've replaced this with a larger version to see if we can see a bit more of that face you have pointed out...the shadows on the cheekbones look similar don't they?

Thanks, State Records NSW, the large version shows astonishing detail, but I can't make a match yet.

Second thoughts - I would say that is a definite match. Here is another portrait of him - www.sydneyarchitecture.com/ARCH/ARCH-Barnet.htm. I wonder who the others are? A Premier, various Ministers, hangers-on, and children. The photo-op for NSW pollies is nothing new!

" The lighting apparatus at the time was described by the builder, Chance Brothers, of Birmingham as the most efficient in the world. It was electric in operation, with the power being produced by two De Meritens magnetos weighing two and a half tons. These were driven by an eight-horse power "Crossley - otto cycle" silent horizontal coal gas engine at 830 rpm. Only one of the de Meritens generators is still in existence: it is owned by the Powerhouse Museum and on display at the Lighthouse. Likewise the original switchboard is owned by the museum but installed the Lighthouse. The Museum have one of the arc lamps, but it is not on display at either venue. The electric apparatus was only used in bad weather. When the weather got really bad the second magneto was brought into operation producing a light of 6,000,000 candelas, the most powerful in the world at the time. In clear weather the illuminate was provided by a gas burner." More here - www.lighthouse.net.au/lights/nsw/Macquarie/Macquarie.htm#... c.1883

Thanks for adding in this background and history of the lighthouse.

I hope the Lighthouse and the Powerhouse Museum (who owns the engine) know about these wonderful pictures. I wonder if they are worth adding to the Wikipedia article - I am not sure how to do that. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macquarie_Lighthouse

Done

David Raz Nice work, thank you!

Woo hoo! Large size is brilliant ... Challenge to everyone - name those ships and ferries!

[Ed.] Read All About It! - SMH 10/4/1924, p.11 onwards - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/page/1227276 The article says the ships were in order: HOOD, REPULSE, DELHI, DANAE, DRAGON, and DUNEDIN.

Of course this is not the Royal Navy Special Service Squadron but US navy visit of 1925.

O O O P S ! Have we got the wrong visit?

Antoine R beachcomber australia Correct Antoine R thank you! As you say BC, oops! :P