Užava Lighthouse

Lighthouse in Latvia

Lighthouse

57°12′32.5″N 21°24′52.8″E / 57.209028°N 21.414667°E / 57.209028; 21.414667TowerConstructed1879 (first)Foundationoctagonal basementConstructionlimestone towerHeight19 metres (62 ft)Shapecylindrical tower with balcony and lanternMarkingswhite tower and lanternHeritageNational industrial monument

LightFirst lit1925 (current)Focal height44 metres (144 ft)Range15 nautical miles (28 km; 17 mi)Characteristicwhite light, 1.5 s on, 2.5 s off, 1.5 s on, 4.5 s offLatvia no.UZ-650^[1] Map

Užava Lighthouse (Latvian: Užavas bāka) - a lighthouse located on the Latvian coast of the Baltic Sea. The lighthouse stands in an isolated location, on a 28 metres high sand dune, which is permanently threatened by the Baltic Sea waves' erosion.^[2] For this reason, the first coastal reinforcement – a dense log wall was constructed to secure the lighthouse's location in 1910. Later, fir-tree baskets filled with gravel, and big boulders to absorb the waves' energy.^[3] Currently, the base of the lighthouse is protected by rock armour.

History

The original tower of the Užava lighthouse was destroyed by artillery shells during World War I. The present-day lighthouse tower is 19 metres in height, completed in 1925. The inscription of the year 1924 on the nearby weather vane on the lightower's dome roof marks the beginning of construction works of the lighthouse.^[4]

References

^ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Latvia". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
^ "Latvian Lighthouses". Petriporkola. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
^ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Latvia". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
^ "Latvian Lighthouses". Bakas. Retrieved 11 May 2015.