Slangkop Lighthouse
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Ever wanted to shake hands with a real live Lighthouse Keeper? Now is your chance!***
The Slangkop Lighthouse is a white circular lighthouse located in the town of Kommetjie. It is the tallest cast iron tower in South Africa, standing 41 meters high with a circumference of 33 meters. The lighthouse consists of 272 cast iron segments each weighing 500 kg, made in England and bolted together on site.
The lighthouse was established as the result of a commission appointed in 1906 by the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, His Excellency, the Honorable Sir Francis Hely-Hutchinson, but was commissioned in 1919 only…
Due to this coastline having many reefs and headlands that stretch far out into the ocean, resulting in hug waves that have wrecked many a fine vessel. The more famous vessels that have come to grief in this area include the SS Kakapo, which ran ashore on the southern end of Chapman’s Bay in 1900 during a north-west gale; the SS Clan Munroe, which wrecked to the north of the lighthouse in 1905; the Oakburn, which wrecked on Duiker Point in 1906 in thick fog; and the SS Maori, which wrecked in thick fog in 1909 resulting in the loss of thirty-two lives. Three graves, believed to be those of sailors from the SS Maori wreck, are within walking distance of the lighthouse.
It became fully automated in 1979. From an original three-man station it has been manned by a Senior Light keeper since then.
The winding road that slithers along the Atlantic coastline leading to Kommetjie has been described as a snake like drive. This curving coastal carriageway leads to Slangkop (Snake head) Lighthouse …The tower’s light shimmers 33 nautical miles out to sea. It emits four flashes every 30 seconds with a candlepower brightness of 5 000 000 C.D.
***Open to the public… Guided Tours offered on weekends, between 10am to 3pm, delve into the history of of lighthouses on the South African coast and reveal why South Africa is one of the only countries still with Light House Keepers on staff. Climb to the top for a revolutionary view of the region, no torches required 🙂 … Well worth the 144 step, 100 feet steep spiral staircase climb of this faithful beacon to a wire mesh balcony… Coupled with interesting stories from the Senior Lighthouse Keeper.