Sch Appendix 2Glossary of historic lighthouse terms relevant to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse

Appendix 2. Glossary of historic lighthouse terms relevant to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse

A

Apron paving The concrete paving surrounding the base of the lighthouse tower.

Astragal The bars which support the glazing of a lantern. They may also support the roof. Simply a framing member between the glazing bars in the lantern glazing. In its true meaning an astragal is a moulding that has a rounded profile. In lanterns this is almost never the case.

B

Balcony A walk way around the outside of the lantern, used for maintenance and, when lighthouses were manned, for observing ships. Principal parts are the balcony floor and the balcony balustrade. (Synonym: gallery deck).

Balcony floor Floor of the balcony. Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse balcony floor is constructed of stone slab.

Balcony balustrade A handrail together with its supports. The supports are called balusters. A railing or wall on the outer perimeter of a balcony, to prevent people from falling off the balcony. Generally made of metal stanchions and rails – the Cape Leeuwin balustrade is constructed of cast iron balusters with four iron pipe rails with aluminium mesh grille and extruded aluminium frame.

C

Chance Bros English manufacturer of optical apparatus, lanterns, cast iron stairs, cast iron towers, and other lighthouse components. The Chance family established a glass-making business in Smethwick, England in 1824 and is often described as ‘near Birmingham’. The business was absorbed into the Pilkington group of companies in 1951 and now ceases to exist.

Character Pattern of flashes of light emitted by a lighthouse, designed to identify that particular lighthouse.

E

External catwalk A landing around the external face of the tower complete with hand rail.

G

Glazing bar Rebated bars of metal which retain the panes of glass in a window. Often consist of vertical angled steel members joining between done support ring and murette. Often the glazing bar has a tenon that matches a mortise in the murette. Astragals are arranged helically. Helical and trapezoidal glazing bars were used where a fixed light was in use (flashing or non-rotating) as vertical bars cut off portions of the light. In comparison, a helical bar design crosses the light source at an angle, obscuring part of it.

I

Incandescent kerosene

A light fuel once utilised by lighthouses to ignite and fuel the lantern. Cape Leeuwin used kerosene to fuel its lantern before its introduction to electricity.

Intermediate floors Levels found mid-way up a building. Cape Leeuwin’s intermediate floors are constructed of iron checker plate.

Internal catwalk An open landing inside the tower complete with handrail.