The framework of the pharos at Port de France, New Caledonia, like that of the Roches-Douvres, is made up of sixteen uprights, each composed of fourteen pannels. Each pannel is formed of T irons, consolidated and riveted together in such a manner as to be perfectly firm—an object fully attained, for the oscillations experienced in lighthouses of stone are in this scarcely discernible. These pannels are pinned one upon another, while cross bars applied both within and without, and likewise pinned, keep the uprights in their position. Finally, on these latter cross bars, and on the inner sides of the uprights, rest the plates of sheet iron constituting the walls, or sides, whose joints are covered by iron platbands, fixed by bolts.
The height of the New Caledonia lighthouse is 164 feet, or 170 feet if we measure from the base of the tower to the point of the lightning-conductor. Its apparatus is of the first class, lenticular, with a fixed white light, whose range is twenty-two miles. The spot on which it is raised is an island of sand, such as the coral animals form in so great and dangerous a number in the southern seas, and is situated to the south-west of Noumea.
LIGHTHOUSE AT NEW CALEDONIA.
Constructed at Paris, and transported in pieces to the Antipodes, the pharos of New Caledonia was inaugurated on the 15th of November 1865, with all the ceremonial appropriate to so important an event. After the benediction of the monument by the priests of Noumea, M. the Commandant Guillain pronounced a discourse, from which we extract the following passage:—
“If, transporting ourselves in thought into the different regions of the civilized world, we examine the events transpiring there, the most magnificent panorama is unrobed before our eyes. Everywhere,—and this will be the glory of our epoch,—everywhere, great works are being executed to bring the peoples together, to multiply their relations, to prepare, in a word, that universal brotherhood, destined and reserved by Providence for future generations.”
The savages, attracted by the brilliancy of the festival, mingled with the French soldiers, seamen, and colonists. Did they understand this wise and noble speech? We fear not. But Time marches onward for them as for us, and Time, which has already destroyed their horrible custom of cannibalism, will one day explain its full meaning to them. Nor is this glorious epoch far remote; wherever beams the lighthouse-lamps, the sails of rich argosies whiten the horizon, wafted from sea to sea by the powerful impulses of civilization!
