Local Government
Shark Bay
Region
Gascoyne
Cape Inscription Dirk Hartog Island
Dirk Hartog Island
Shark Bay
Gascoyne
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 12 Dec 1997 | Category 1 | |
03261 Cape Inscription Lighthouse & Quarters
Historic Site
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | OTHER | Other |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Exploration & surveying |
This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.
Constructed from 1616, Constructed from 1697
The inscription posts at Cape Inscription have high historic significance for their connection with the first documented European landings on the Australian continent.
Set high on a rocky cliff on the north west tip of Dirk Hartog Island are two timber posts. The original inscription plates have been removed for safe keeping. This site is in close proximity to the Cape Inscription Lighthouse and Quarters. A plaque on the lighthouse documents the history of the inscription posts.
On the 26 October, 1616 Dirk Hartog, Dutch navigator, landed in the vicinity of Dirk Hartog Island. He had sailed from Amsterdam on the Dutch trading ship 'Eendracht' and marked the place of his landfall at Cape Inscription by the erection of an inscribed pewter plate, nailed to a timber post. In 1697, Dutch navigator Willem de Vlamingh, in the ship 'Geelvink', searching for the ship 'Ridderschap van Holland', recorded the areas of the Swan River, Rottnest Island and subsequently landed at Cape Inscription. He found the pewter plate erected by Dirk Hartog and delivered it to the Dutch authorities. Vlamingh erected another memorial plaque in the same location, recording his own visit and Dirk Hartog's original visit. (Sources: Carmody, R.W., "Shark Bay - Its Story, 1616-1969", Thesis for the Teachers' Higher Certificate, 1970, Perth. p6. Stanbury, M., "Historic Sites in Shark Bay", Western Australian Maritime Museum, Fremantle. p. 1 McCarthy, M., The 'Gascoyne Coast' suggestions for Cartographic Services Branch, DOLA., Western Australian Maritime Museum, Fremantle, 1992.)
Integrity: High Degree
Good
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| RW Carmody; "Shark Bay, 1616-1969",P.6 | Thesis for Teacher's Higher Certificate | 1970 | |
| M Stanbury; "Historic Site in Shark Bay ". P.1 | Department of Maritime Archeaology, WA Maritime Museum, Fremantle WA |
This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.
Cape Inscription Dirk Hartog Island
Shark Bay
Gascoyne
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 12 Dec 1997 | Category 1 | |
03261 Cape Inscription Lighthouse & Quarters
Individual Building or Group
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Present Use | Transport\Communications | Water: Lighthouse |
| Original Use | Transport\Communications | Water: Housing or Quarters |
| Original Use | Transport\Communications | Water: Lighthouse |
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Wall | CONCRETE | Concrete Block |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Workers {incl. Aboriginal, convict} |
This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.
Constructed from 1910
The lighthouse, quarters, underground tank, privy and tramway at Cape Inscription have high historic and scientific heritage value. The construction of the tramway and structures in this remote and inhospitable area demonstrates the resourcefulness of early twentieth century engineers and builders. Further the structures are in close proximity to the site of the landings of Dirk Hartog and Willem de Vlamingh and if restored could be used as a museum and warden's quarters.
(Note: "Condition" above refers to the lighthouse only.) The Consultants were unable to visit this place and therefore the description below is compiled from photographic evidence and documentary sources. The Lighthouse, Quarters and Tramway are sited high above the beach on the west side of Dirk Hartog Island. LIGHTHOUSE: Sited at Cape Inscription (21 Deg, 48 Min. South: 114 Deg, 6 Min. East) this lighthouse is some 44 metres above sea level. The top of this slightly tapered concrete tower has a metal balustrade which surrounds the glass enclosure containing the light. The enclosure has a white painted domed metal roof. The height of the structure is 16.5 metres. There is a single timber entry door, a small rectangular window at the base of the tower and a small rectangular window close to the top of the concrete section. Close to the tower is a small corrugated iron clad shed with a corrugated iron gable roof. QUARTERS: Sited to the south of the lighthouse are the ruins of the concrete quarters and privy. Neither structure has any roof cladding or structural timber visible. The fortress like quarters were constructed using concrete forms some 300 mm high which were raised after each level was completed. There is a central entry door with wings and chimneys to each end of the building. Verandahs between the wings and around the central section of the building have been removed. To the west of the quarters some timber posts of the stables and horse yards remain. TRAMWAY: A metal tramway which is located on the top of the cliffs runs south from the lighthouse. It is largely inundated by sand. At the southern end of the tramway, a concrete floor and a few sheets corrugated iron are all that remain of the winch house.
The lighthouse, quarters, stables and tramway at Cape Inscription were built between 1908 and 1910. The jetty was built first and was some 232 feet long (about 70 metres) and this was followed by the construction of the two foot (610mm) gauge inclined tramway which was completed in 1909. The construction of the lighthouse and quarters of non-reinforced concrete was accomplished by carting materials and water to the site in hogsheads with horses pulling the small trolleys along the tramway. An underground tank of 20,000 gallons capacity with a concrete catchment area was also built near the cliff edge. The contractors for the project were the Public Works Department, overseen by engineer Mr Farrar. The light first operated on 1 March, 1910. In 1915 all lighthouses were taken over by the Commonwealth Government and the capital costs at this time were stated to be £10,566 with the light an additional £1000. In a report published in 1913 the light was described as being oil fired and the light is second order dioptric, 215,000 candle power. In 1917 the light was automated and converted to use gas. In 1987 a report for the WA Heritage Committee indicates that the light is solar powered and that a helicopter pad had been constructed to allow maintenance visits. (Sources: John Douro, "Architectural Evaluation for the Western Australian Heritage Committee No. 37/87", Perth, 1987, Margaret Coleman, "Lighthouses of WA", Federal Department of Transport, Canberra, 1982/83, Cape Inscription Lighthouse and Quarters, Heritage Council of Western Australia, Ref. 3261, Perth, 1994.)
Good
| Name | Type | Year From | Year To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Public Works | Architect | 1910 | - |
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| J Douro; "Architectural Evaluation for the Western Australian Heritage Committee No. 37/87", | 1987 | ||
| M Coleman; "Lighthouses of WA", | Federal Department of Transport, | 1982/83 | |
| "Cape Inscription Lighthouse and Quarters". | HCWA | 1994 |
| Owner | Category |
|---|---|
| Crown Land | Commonwealth Gov't |
This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.
Cape Inscription Dirk Hartog Island
NB: old horse paddock, fmr winch structure & cable railway and loc of ramwa from off loading jetty at Turtle Bay to lighthouse - inc in Reserve 14918 therefore covered by registration
Dirk Hartog Island
inc Landing site
Shark Bay
Gascoyne
Constructed from 1910
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Heritage List | YES | 07 Apr 2006 | |
| State Register | Registered | 30 Aug 2001 | HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument, HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Classified by the National Trust | Classified | 11 Dec 2000 | ||
| Aboriginal Heritage Sites Register | Permanent | |||
| Register of the National Estate | Registered | 21 Mar 1978 | ||
| Lighthouses Survey | Completed | 01 May 2000 | ||
07402 Dirk Hartog Island
fairly good condition
| Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4687 | The Australian Maritime Safety Authority : lighthouse conservation assessment : Cape Inscription : Dirk Hartog Island, Western Australia. | Heritage Study {Other} | 2000 |
| 7042 | Cape Inscription lighthouse keeper's quarters, Dirk hartog Island, Shark Bay : conservation management plan. | Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} | 2004 |
| 5942 | Conservation analysis of 13 lighthouse properties. | C D Rom | 2000 |
| 7183 | Lighthouses of Australia : images from the end of an era. | Book | 2001 |
| 6575 | Lighthouse keeper's quarters and associated buildings : architectural evaluation. | Heritage Study {Other} | 1991 |
| 8551 | Report on the 2006 Western Australian Museum, Department of Maritime Archaelogy, Cape Inscription national heritage listing archaeological survey. | Report | 2007 |
| 6911 | Cape Inscription Lightkeepers Quarters, Dirk Hartog Island, Shark Bay, Western Australia : conservation and management plan. | Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} | 1996 |
Individual Building or Group
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | Transport\Communications | Water: Housing or Quarters |
| Present Use | Transport\Communications | Water: Lighthouse |
| Original Use | Transport\Communications | Water: Lighthouse |
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Wall | CONCRETE | Concrete Block |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | River & sea transport |
| OCCUPATIONS | Technology & technological change |
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Workers {incl. Aboriginal, convict} |
This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.