ProvenanceThe signal lamp forms part of the equipment of the Port Adelaide Lighthouse during its time on South Neptune Island. Lighthouse keepers were able to communicate with ships by flashing a light using Morse code. Signal lamps with flashing dots and dashes were pioneered by the Royal Navy in the late 19th century.
Initially standing at the mouth of the Port River in Port Adelaide from 1869 to 1901, the lighthouse had moved to its second home on South Neptune Island and begun operating on 1 November 1901. The Neptune Islands, consisting of two groups of islands, are located at the entrance of Spencer Gulf. Unlike other lighthouse sites, the barren island had three keepers' cottages all joined to house the lighthouse keepers for the years the lighthouse ran.SignificanceThe object is representative to document the history of navigational aids in South Australia.Descriptiona: The signal lamp casing is a black timber box (a) with removable lid and leather handle/strap. Underside of lid has "Directions for Trimming and Lighting Lamp Signalling". Signalling "B" typed on paper adhered to the wood. Wooden box has two compartments, one for the lantern and one for the lenses. Three glass lenses are wrapped in felt holders. One lense has (c) large broken section at its narrow end, another has broken completely at the (d) mid-section and third lense is intact (e).
b: The hand-held signal lantern is a rectangular tin and brass box with openings at rear and top and large protruding circular lens at front. An extendable wooden handle folds down on top of the box over the maker's label. Circular lens/lamp opening at top of box with lid attached by link chain. The metal casing has been painted black at some point and much paint has worn away. Loose chips of paint are still being lost. There is considerable rust and flaking all over. Wooden box is stencilled "Signalling Lamp South Neptune" in white paint.Creator (organisation)W.M. Still and Co.AcknowledgementDate of Creationc. 1901Materialtimber
|tin
|brass
|glass
|felt
|paint Accession NumberHT 2008.0606 a-e
Image Credits
Image FilenameHT2008-0606a-e_CI5409.jpgCopyrightHistory Trust of South AustraliaLicenseCC-0
Image Credits
Image FilenameHT2008-0606a-e_CI5410.jpgCopyrightHistory Trust of South AustraliaLicenseCC-0
Image Credits
Image FilenameHT2008-0606a-e_CI5423.jpgCopyrightHistory Trust of South AustraliaLicenseCC-0
