Breaksea Island and Lighthouse

Statement of Significance

Breaksea Island and Lighthouse, consisting of a convict built lighthouse with integrally built quarters (1858), the replacement lighthouse (1902), two quarters buildings with ancillary buildings (1902 and 1908), including cast iron rainwater tanks, retaining walls, garden terracing, cast iron telegraph poles (1896), chicken or rabbit runs, and steel landing on the north side of the island, together with the remainder of the island, has cultural heritage significance as a whole for the following reasons: The Lighthouse is rare as a complex of structures illustrating part of the history of development of lightstations in Western Australia, and the remains of the 1858 lighthouse and keeper’s quarters building is the largest and most complete of its type in the State. The place demonstrates the importance of Albany as Western Australia’s principal port prior to the development of Fremantle Harbour, the navigational aids that were constructed to improve its safety for shipping and the development of a lightstation though time. The complex of buildings and ruins are fine examples of architecture in their individual right, expressed in Victorian Georgian and Federation Bungalow and Free Classical styles constructed in 1858, 1902 and 1908 respectively. The place has significant historic value as the second lightstation to be built in Western Australia. The 1858 lighthouse and keeper’s quarters is a relatively large and reasonably intact example of the public works built by Imperial convict labour. The place has value as a potential benchmark site for lightstation developments in Western Australia from the mid nineteenth to early twentieth century. The place is a significant conservation reserve, being an important breeding area for several species of seabird and one of the few known locations of the fern, Asplenium obtusatum, a Declared Rare Flora species. The mild steel ladder of the 1902 Lighthouse is considered to be intrusive, while some of the interior and exterior features of both buildings, the 1858 and 1902 lighthouses and quarters, are assessed as being of little cultural heritage significance.

Physical Description

Breaksea Island and Lighthouse, consisting of a convict built lighthouse with integrally built quarters (1858), the replacement lighthouse (1902), two quarters buildings with ancillary buildings (1902 and 1908), including cast iron rainwater tanks, retaining walls, garden terracing, cast iron telegraph poles (1896), chicken or rabbit runs, and steel landing on the north side of the island, together with the remainder of the island. Refer to Conservation Plan

History

Breaksea Island is a striking granite landform off the coast of Albany. Along with its landmark qualities, Breaksea also has some of the most historic and significant lightstation structures in the State, making it a major natural and cultural component of the Albany seascape. In 1858 a stone and cast-iron lighthouse and quarters was built on Breaksea Island using convict labour. This was only the second lighthouse to be built in Western Australia (the first being on Rottnest), and provided much needed safety to this previously unlit shipping route. In 1902 a new lighthouse was erected to replace the original. At the same time, a new jetty was constructed and new quarters, although this time the quarters were built a short distance from the lighthouse. In 1908 a second quarters were also built. Following the construction in 1926 of the lighthouse on Eclipse Island, the Breaksea Island light was automated and the keepers were withdrawn. In 2000 the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) started negotiations with the State Government regarding transfer of ownership of the Island. Although AMSA retained a portion of land, the Island is predominantly an A Class Reserve vested with the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC). Refer to Conservation Plan

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High/Moderate Authenticity: High/Moderate

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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