Amedee lighthouse in New Caledonia Bashny.Net

Amedee lighthouse is an iron lighthouse located on the island Amedee, 24 km away from nouméa, New Caledonia. 56 meters tall, it is one of the tallest lighthouses in the world and the first metallic lighthouse constructed in France.



The lighthouse was originally constructed in Paris in 1862 and stayed there for two years, as a demonstration of its stability. Ready iron project was relatively new technique, and Mr. Leonce Reynaud, Manager of the lighthouses of France, there was not much faith in him. During the time when the lighthouse remained in Paris from July 1862 to June 1864, he became a popular destination for strolling Parisians. After that, the lighthouse was dismantled and Packed in boxes 1,265, weighing 388 tons. The cargo was transported along the river Seine to the port of Le Havre for the final stage of his long journey to New Caledonia.

The lighthouse arrived in New Caledonia, in November 1864. After ten months of intensive work, it was installed by the military and local workers on the island of Amedee. It was first lit on 15 November 1865, the Saint day of the Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III. Its light marked the passage Boulari, one of the three natural passages in the reef surrounding New Caledonia.





The lighthouse tower Amidi, towering at 56 metres above a small island. Spiral staircase made of cast iron, consisting of 247 steps leads to the top. The island is uninhabited and visitors are allowed to visit the lighthouse during the daytime. These days it's powered by solar energy, but during his active life he was fueled by kerosene and original rapeseed oil. Now it is a tourist attraction with its long history.

Source: lifeglobe.net/