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The independent nation of Barbados is located in the Atlantic to the
east of the other islands of the Lesser Antilles, about 160 km (100 miles)
east of St. Vincent. The island has a population of about 275,000 and
a strong British heritage, having been a British colony from 1627 until
it became independent in 1966.
Barbados has four historic lighthouses. Three are listed as active, although
there are reports that they are not always in service. All four are endangered
by neglect and are much in need of restoration. The active lights are
operated by Barbados Port, Inc.,
but presumably the buildings are owned by the Government
of Barbados. The Barbados
National Trust has not been involved, so far, in lighthouse preservation.
Thanks to Sharon Arrindell for providing photos and information on these
lighthouses.
ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS
World List of Lights. Admiralty numbers are from Volume J of the
Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA numbers
are from Publication 110.
- General Sources
- Barbados Photo Gallery
- Other Structures
- Stephen Mendes has photos of the three active lighthouses of Barbados.
- Barbados
Lighthouses
- Photos and accounts by Joseph Nicholson.
- Leuchttürme
von Barbados
- Photos by a German traveler.
- Lighthouses
in the Caribbean
- Aerial photos posted by Marinas.com.
- Leuchttürme
Mittelamerikas und der Karabik auf historischen Postkarten
- Historic postcard views posted by Klaus Huelse.
- Lighthouses
- * Ragged
Point (East Point)
- 1875. Active; focal plane 65 m (213 ft); white flash every 15 s. 29.5
m (97 ft) stone tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern
and watch room black. The keeper's house and other light station buildings
are abandoned and in ruins.
Bas Leenders's 2009 photo is at right, Mendes has a 1996 photo, Carlos Granier
has a good August 2006 photo,
and Google has a satellite
view. Located on a bluff above the Atlantic about 2 km (1.2 mi)
northwest of East Point, the easternmost point of the island. Site open,
tower closed. ARLHS BAR-003; Admiralty J5804; NGA 15096.
- * South
Point
- 1852 (William Gordon). Active; focal plane 44 m (145 ft); three white
flashes every 30 s. 27 m (89 ft) cast iron tower with lantern and gallery,
painted with red and white horizontal bands. 1-story keeper's house,
abandoned. The lighthouse was exhibited at Londons Great Exhibition
in 1851, then reassembled on the island. Mendes's 1998 photo
and Nicholson's photos
in 2000 showed the lighthouse to be rusted and much in need of restoration.
The lighthouse was finally refurbished and painted in 2004, and the
photo at right shows the tower with its new paint job. Marinas.com has
recent aerial photos,
Huelse has a historic postcard
view, and Google has a satellite
view. Located near the southernmost point of the island; Site open,
tower closed. ARLHS BAR-004; Admiralty J5806; NGA 15100.
- * Needhams
Point
- 1855. Inactive. 13 m (43 ft) octagonal masonry tower with lantern
and gallery, painted white, lantern and gallery black. The active light
is a 9 m (30 ft) post light (focal plane 13 m (43 ft); flash every 8
s; white shown to south and west, red to north and east). Recently Hilton
Hotels built a large new hotel next to this tower; Hilton now owns the
lighthouse and has restored and painted its exterior. A 2007 photo
and a 2009 photo
are available, Huelse has a historic postcard
view, and the light is just below the hotel in a Google satellite
view. Located at the south end of Carlisle Bay, southwest of Bridgetown.
Site open, tower status unknown. ARLHS BAR-002; Admiralty J5807; NGA
15108.
- Harrison Point
- 1925. Active; focal plane 59 m (193 ft); two white flashes every 15
s. 26 m (85 ft) concrete block tower with lantern and gallery, painted
white; lantern red. Keeper's quarters and other light station buildings
abandoned and in ruins. Rosalie Beasley's photo is at the top of this
page, Mendes has a closeup 1997 photo,
a good 2002 photo
and a 2008 photo
are available, Marinas.com has aerial
photos, and a Google satellite
view is available. One earlier visitor reported the lighthouse is
on the grounds of a prison and is not accessible to the public, but
recent photos indicate this is no longer the case. Located at the northwesternmost
point of the island, about 8 km (5 mi) north of Speightstown. Site and
tower closed. ARLHS BAR-001; Admiralty J5814; NGA 15128.
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Harrison Point Light, December 2006
photo copyright Rosalie Beasley; used by permission

Ragged Point Light, January 2009
Creative Commons photo
by Bas Leenders

South Point Light, November 2004
anonymous Creative Commons photo
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