Madras lighthouse reopens: Attracts 5000 spectators

 

Chennai: The Madras lighthouse, wh­ich had been closed due to security reasons for over two decades, was re­opened to the public  at the hands of Union shipp­ing minister G.K. Vas­an on Thursday. The 46 me­tre-high lighthouse, whi­ch was functioning since 1977, was closed to the public for security reasons in 1991.

 

More than 5,000 persons, mostly children, ac­c­om­panied by their parents, thronged the impre­ssively renovated tower facing the Marina beach, the second largest one in the world. They wanted to avail of a glimpse of Che­nnai, Chennai Port, Anna Square, Bay of Ben­gal and the beach.

 

The private security personnel faced a tough task, controlling the crowd as they continued to pour into the place till 6 pm on the maiden day.

 

A large number of children climbed the tower with the help of an elevator. However, many were seen reaching atop for viewing the scenic beauty of the city by walking.

 

 Speaking to DC, R. Sha­ntha Kumar, 14, of Sai­vidhya Matriculation sch­o­ol, Mylapore, said “I am elated to have a gli­m­pse of the sea and the city. With my naked eye I can see places only up to Anna Square clearly from the top”. He hoped that the officials would set up binoculars or a telescope.

 

 

C. Vaitheeswari of Ass­u­mption Higher Secon­d­a­ry School said, “It’s the fi­rst time that I have reac­h­ed such a high place. I can see boats and ships fr­om a distance from the lighthouse.”

Another student, Mani­k­an­dan, said that he was happy to see the vehicles on the road while Rajes­wari of Santhome said that her heart was pounding when she reached the top. S. Kumersan, of Tri­plicane, recalled walking on the footpath along Ka­m­araj Salai every day in the morning.” I visited the building when it was opened to the public 20 ye­ars ago. From now on, I wi­ll make it a point to climb the lighthouse.

 

A senior citizen Nage­n­d­ran, said, “The city has developed much since its closure. It is an awesome experience to see MRTS and many new buildings, including the renovated Chidambaram stadium, from the lighthouse.

 

Soon after opening the lighthouse for public view, Union minister G.K. Vasan said that the ministry had planned to open 15 of them across the country. This includes a lighthouse in Mama­llapu­ram, Rameswaram and Kanyakumari. 

 

He also inaugurated a lighthouse technical museum and laid the foundation stone for the establishment of the national Navatex Network in Parangipet in Cuddalore and Muttam in Kanyakumari districts.

 

An official stated that the inauguration was an important milestone in the history of Chennai. This will enable local residents and tourists to have a glimpse of the city.

 

 

 

Chennai: Chennai’s tryst with lighthouse be­g­an as far back as in 1796 when the fi­rst conventional lighthouse with wi­ck fuelled by coconut oil was lighted atop the Exchange Building, presently the Fort Museum, to guide the Br­itish vessels. The wick was replaced by flashing light in 1844. A lighthouse was constructed close to the sea where the present high court is situated and the lighthouse on Marina was constructed after Independence.

 

 It was a large oil-wick lantern to guide the vessels approaching the port. About 12 lamps powered by co­conut oil were used and country mi­r­rors served as reflectors.

 

This li­g­hthouse situated at 99 feet above sea level, threw powerful beam for a distance of 25 miles from the shore and this first lighthouse functioned till 1841. In 1834, it was replaced wi­th an advanced lighthouse when the East India Company commissioned Capt. T. J. Smith of the Corps of En­g­i­neers, to establish a new lighthouse. 

 

 

Interestingly, then, ships, were anchored in front of Fort St. George, and later lay anchored off First Line Beach. Since the old lighthouse was considered too far to the south, the second lighthouse was erected during 1838-1844 on the north side of the Fort. The column was designed by Smith and granite stones for construction were sourced from Pallavaram quarries.

 

 This served for the next 50 years until the British government felt the height of this lighthouse was insufficient and decided to build a new, taller one, leading to the High Co­u­rt’s tallest dome becoming the third lighthouse of the city. It used ke­r­o­sene to produce light. This attracted the attention of the German warship SMS Emden during World War I leading to the bombardment of the High Court campus on Sept. 22 1914. 

 

 A new lighthouse was later built at the southern end of Marina in 1976 and it was unveiled on Jan. 10, 1977. It uses an electrical equipment manufactured by BBT, Paris on its tower to beam the light for 28 nautical miles.