Story: Lighthouses

Replacing gas cylinders

From 1913 the Marine Department began to install automatic acetylene burners as the light source in lighthouses. These could be turned on and off by an automatic sun valve. However, people were required to replace the gas cylinders. This video clip shows men changing the cylinders of the light beacon at Jackson Reef lighthouse, off Cape Jackson in Cook Strait.

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Archives New Zealand - Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga
Reference: Pictorial Parade 138

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How to cite this page:

Helen Beaglehole, 'Lighthouses - Lights: from oil to electricity', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/video/6677/replacing-gas-cylinders (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Helen Beaglehole, published 12 Jun 2006