The Cap Caxine Lighthouse (in منارة رأس كاكسين) is a landfall lighthouse located about 2 km from the western entrance of the Bay of Algiers.
History
It seems that before colonization, only a few rudimentary beacons were placed near shelters that served as refuge for Barbary ships; such as the ordinary beacon located on the high tower of the Penon of Algiers. From the early years of the conquest, more effective lights were installed at the most characteristic points. Thus, in 1834, the French replaced the beacon of Algiers with a device consisting of a fixed light topped with a rotating crown carrying 8 lamps with reflectors arranged to create an eclipse light of 30 seconds every 30 seconds.
The first official report addressing the lighting of the Algerian coasts is a report from the Nautical Commission of Algeria in 1843, which established a complete report on “improvements to be made to existing lights (nine at the time), lights to be established immediately, lights to be established later”. Its execution spanned several years, with modifications imposed by technical progress and the development of navigation, and the main ones were decided by the Lighthouse Commission in 1861.
The Cap Caxine Lighthouse was built in 1868.
The equipment was periodically modified between 1860 and 1900. The most notable of these improvements consisted in the substitution of mineral oil for vegetable oil in 1881, followed by the adoption of certain constant level lamp lights.
In 1902, a new coastal lighting improvement program was implemented by establishing a Special Nautical Commission, which adopted a program of works including, among other things, the substitution of existing fixed lights with flashing or occulting lights with or without colored sectors. This program was fully realized from 1904 to 1908, except for the north jetty of the Port of Algiers. The electrification of the main lights and port lights was actively pursued since the scientific mission in Algeria in 1924 by the Chief Engineer of the Central Lighthouse Service.
In addition, four radiobeacons were put into service at the Admiralty Lighthouse in Algiers (1931), at Cape Needle (1938), at Cap Caxine (1938), and at Cape Matifou (1942). The technical services also planned the establishment of four additional works in the near future at Cape Ténès, Cape Bengut, Cape Bougaroun, and Cape de Garde.
Characteristics
The Cap Caxine Lighthouse as seen from the Baïnem Forest
The lighthouse, accessible by road, west-northwest of the Port of Algiers, is a 37.4 m high square tower with corbels at the top and stone masonry corner chains. The lantern tower with internal maintenance reaches 68.4 m above sea level. At the base of the tower, there is an imposing building housing five apartments for the staff. 20 m southeast, two keeper’s lodgings can be used by temporary staff. About 115 m away and at an azimuth of 153°, there is a pavilion dependent on the lighthouse. At 100 m and at an azimuth of 140°, there is a service building.
The lighting is provided by a white flashing light, light 0.2 s, dark 4.8 s, with a range of 29 miles, or about 54 km. The lamp has a power of 1,000 W for a voltage of 220 V.
The lighthouse houses the National Maritime Signaling Office museum.
The Cap Caxine Lighthouse (in منارة رأس كاكسين) is a landfall lighthouse located about 2 km from the western entrance of the Bay of Algiers.
History
It seems that before colonization, only a few rudimentary beacons were placed near shelters that served as refuge for Barbary ships; such as the ordinary beacon located on the high tower of the Penon of Algiers. From the early years of the conquest, more effective lights were installed at the most characteristic points. Thus, in 1834, the French replaced the beacon of Algiers with a device consisting of a fixed light topped with a rotating crown carrying 8 lamps with reflectors arranged to create an eclipse light of 30 seconds every 30 seconds.
The first official report addressing the lighting of the Algerian coasts is a report from the Nautical Commission of Algeria in 1843, which established a complete report on “improvements to be made to existing lights (nine at the time), lights to be established immediately, lights to be established later”. Its execution spanned several years, with modifications imposed by technical progress and the development of navigation, and the main ones were decided by the Lighthouse Commission in 1861.
The Cap Caxine Lighthouse was built in 1868.
The equipment was periodically modified between 1860 and 1900. The most notable of these improvements consisted in the substitution of mineral oil for vegetable oil in 1881, followed by the adoption of certain constant level lamp lights.
In 1902, a new coastal lighting improvement program was implemented by establishing a Special Nautical Commission, which adopted a program of works including, among other things, the substitution of existing fixed lights with flashing or occulting lights with or without colored sectors. This program was fully realized from 1904 to 1908, except for the north jetty of the Port of Algiers. The electrification of the main lights and port lights was actively pursued since the scientific mission in Algeria in 1924 by the Chief Engineer of the Central Lighthouse Service.
In addition, four radiobeacons were put into service at the Admiralty Lighthouse in Algiers (1931), at Cape Needle (1938), at Cap Caxine (1938), and at Cape Matifou (1942). The technical services also planned the establishment of four additional works in the near future at Cape Ténès, Cape Bengut, Cape Bougaroun, and Cape de Garde.
Characteristics
The Cap Caxine Lighthouse as seen from the Baïnem Forest
The lighthouse, accessible by road, west-northwest of the Port of Algiers, is a 37.4 m high square tower with corbels at the top and stone masonry corner chains. The lantern tower with internal maintenance reaches 68.4 m above sea level. At the base of the tower, there is an imposing building housing five apartments for the staff. 20 m southeast, two keeper’s lodgings can be used by temporary staff. About 115 m away and at an azimuth of 153°, there is a pavilion dependent on the lighthouse. At 100 m and at an azimuth of 140°, there is a service building.
The lighting is provided by a white flashing light, light 0.2 s, dark 4.8 s, with a range of 29 miles, or about 54 km. The lamp has a power of 1,000 W for a voltage of 220 V.
The lighthouse houses the National Maritime Signaling Office museum.
