Showing posts with label Shark Island. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shark Island. Show all posts

Sunday, 11 August 2024

Namibia: Profiling Luderitz - harbour town in southern Africa

Profiling Luderitz, Namibia

Lüderitz is a town located in the ǁKaras Region of southern Namibia. It is situated on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and is known for its German colonial architecture, fishing industry, and proximity to the Namib Desert.

Here are some key points about Lüderitz:

1. History: The town was founded in 1883 when Heinrich Vogelsang purchased Angra Pequena and some land from the local Nama chief. It was named after Adolf Lüderitz, a German merchant and colonialist. Lüderitz became an important trading port and the center of diamond mining in the early 20th century.

2. Architecture: Lüderitz is known for its well-preserved German colonial architecture, with colorful buildings lining its streets. The most famous building is the Goerke Haus, a grand mansion built in 1910 that now houses a museum.

3. Economy: The economy of Lüderitz is largely based on fishing, diamond mining and tourism. The town is a major fishing port, and the surrounding waters are rich in marine life. Tourism is also an important industry, with visitors attracted to the town's historical sites and the nearby Namib Desert.

4. Attractions: Lüderitz offers several attractions for visitors, including Shark Island, a popular camping and picnic spot with views of the ocean; the ghost town of Kolmanskop, a former diamond mining town abandoned in the 1950s; and the nearby Bogenfels rock arch, a natural landmark on the coast.

5. Climate: Lüderitz has a cool desert climate, with mild temperatures throughout the year due to the influence of the cold Benguela Current. Fog is common in the mornings, providing moisture to the region's plant and animal life.

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Thursday, 3 November 2022

Namibia: Diaz Point & Shark Island Lighthouses, Lüderitz Bay

Diaz Point Lighthouse, Lüderitz Bay, Namibia

Position: -26.635697, 15.152507

International Reg. D 5600

Scope: 22 sm

In operation since 1910

tower height: 35 m

light height: 52 m

Dias Point (2)

1915 (station established 1903). Active; focal plane 53 m; white flash every 10 s; also a passing light at focal plane 50 m; continuous white or red light depending on direction. 28 m round tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a 1-story hexagonal stone base. The tower is painted with red and white horizontal bands. A fog horn (one 2 s blast every 20 s) is located 450 m north. An older fog signal tower also survives. Also nearby is a stone cross commemorating the landing here by the Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias in 1487. Damien du Toit's photo is above, Trabas has Hartmann's photo, Brian McMorrow has a portfolio of photos, a 2012 closeup is available, and Google has a satellite view. Forand has a postcard view of the original lighthouse, a short square masonry tower, and Wikimedia has a photo showing both lighthouses. Dias Point shelters Robert Harbor, the bay of Lüderitz. Located on heights about 500 m south of the tip of the point. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS NAM-002; Admiralty D5600; NGA 25788.

** Shark Island (1)

1903. Inactive. Approx. 12 m square cylindrical tower with gallery attached to a 1-story keeper's house. Lantern removed. The building has been repainted buff with green trim. Andrew Haliburton's photo is at right, Wikimedia has a closeup photo by Peter Stenglein, another photo is available, Lee Knez has a 2021 drone view, Elsabe Wiese de Wet has a street view, and Google has a satellite view. The old lighthouse is now incorporated in a resort and has several rooms available for overnight accommodations. Now joined to the mainland at its south end, Shark Island shelters the small harbor of Lüderitz. Located at the highest point of the "island" and accessible by road. Site open, lighthouse open to guests. Owner: Namibia Wildlife Resorts. Site manager: Shark Island Resort. ARLHS NAM-005.

* Shark Island (2)

Date unknown (station established 1903). Active; focal plane 34 m; white, red, or green light depending on direction, 2.5 s on, 7.5 s off. Approx. 15 m square pyramidal skeletal tower with gallery, painted white. Andrew Haliburton's photo is above right, Lightphotos.net has a closeup, Trabas has Hartmann's photo, and Forand has an amateur radio QSL card showing both lighthouses. Located a short distance seaward of the historic lighthouse. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty D5606; NGA 25808.

* Robert Harbor Range Rear

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 23 m; red flash every 2 s. Approx. 16 m square cylindrical skeletal tower carrying a rectangular daymark colored red with a yellow stripe. Trabas has Hartmann's photo, and Google has a satellite view. This is the entrance range for the harbor. The front light is on a similar, shorter tower. Located on the mainland opposite Shark Island. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty D5607.1; NGA 25796.

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Saturday, 17 September 2022

Namibia: Shark Island in Lüderitz - renovated lighthouse is reopened

MEDIA STATEMENT

SHARK ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE NOW AVAILABLE FOR BOOKINGS

NWR recently unveiled the newly renovated lighthouse at Shark Island on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean.

Shark Island, a historical site found in Lüderitz town and a popular camping spot was last closed in 2020 to give it a “newer” and “fresher” look.

The lighthouse' rooms and exterior have been completely renovated with its interior décor done by Namibia’s renowned interior designer Olive Rose interiors, bringing taste and tranquil naturals to both the 2 rooms and the kitchen. The lighthouse has a self-catering kitchen with cutlery and plates, a kettle, and a fridge, as well as a TV in the sitting room.

A one-night stay at Shark Island is self-catering. The view tower on the top of the lighthouse remains open, where guests can experience panoramic views that stretch over the horizon while spotting seals and pelicans that frequently appear around the site's rocky areas.

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Sunday, 3 May 2020

Namibia: Luderitz old town and Shark Island | Людериц Намибия

Luderitz

Name. The coastal town Luderitz is named after its founder, German merchant Adolf Luderitz, is located 815 kilometres from Windhoek. The town was named Angra das Voltas in 1487 by Bartolomeu Diaz, renamed to Golfo de Sao Cristovao next year also by him and later changed to Angra Pequena. Bartolomeu Diaz erected a stone cross, similar to one at Cape Cross on 25 July 1488. The one you can see now at Diaz Point was made of dolerite and erected five centuries later in 1988 during Diaz Festival.

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