Erected in 1841 by Kru men from Africa (who were among the free Africans brought to Jamaica in the period following emancipation), it is the oldest lighthouse on the island[2] and the first cast iron lighthouse built in the Western Hemisphere.[3]
It consists of a 30 m (100 ft) iron tube, cast in London in 1841, which has a diameter of 5 m (18 ft) at the base and 3 m (11 ft) at the cap[4] with lantern and gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands.[3] To protect against surf during hurricanes, a semicircular masonry wall has been built around the seaward side of the base of the lighthouse.[3]
It was designed by Alexander Gordon and built by George Grove.[3]
It is listed by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust as a historic monument, being 'of considerable interest to historians of industrial technology'.[2]
It is maintained by the Port Authority of Jamaica, an agency of the Ministry of Transport and Works.
| Morant Point Lighthouse | |
|---|---|
 Morant Point Lighthouse.   Morant Point Lighthouse | |
| Location: | Morant Point, Saint Thomas, Jamaica |
| Coordinates | 17°55′06″N 76°11′04″W / 17.9184115°N 76.1844403°WCoordinates: 17°55′06″N 76°11′04″W / 17.9184115°N 76.1844403°W[1] |
| Year first lit: | 1841 |
| Foundation: | Concrete[2] |
| Construction: | Cast iron[2] |
| Tower shape: | Conical |
| Focal Height: | 115 feet (35 m))[3] |
| Characteristic: | three white flashes every 20s[3] |
| Admiralty number: | J5282[3] |
| NGA number: | 13860[3] |
| ARLHS number: | JAM-004[3] |
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