Culminating at 56 metres, the Amédée Lighthouse is testimony to a technological marvel of the end of the Second Empire and one of the rare historical monuments which can be visited in New Caledonia. It has been a symbol of endurance for 135 years. Historical Background
In 1859, New Caledonia had been French for 6 years and Port de France was not as yet known as Nouméa. With the aim of increasing maritime trade and securing access to the port, Governor Saisset who held the position at the time, made a request to his superiors for a lighthouse to be built. In fact, many ships had already been shipwrecked on the great reef while trying to enter the lagoon.
Two years later, the Commission given the task of providing lights for France's coastline, presided over by the Minister of Navy and Colonies, the Count Prosper de CHASSELOUP-LAUBAT, gave him entire satisfaction and entrusted Mr Léonce Reynaud, Director of Lighthouses, with the task of drawing up the plans.
The construction was commissioned to Mr RIGOLET, already well-known in the industrial world for carrying out such remarkable works as the old winter garden in Paris and the Vice-royal's palace in Alexandria. The design of the light's optical systems was entrusted to Mr LEPANTE.
In July 1862, the metallic tower was assembled above la Villette to be shown to the Parisian public. It remained there until June 1863 when the whole lighthouse was completely dismanteled and wrapped in numbered packets to be transported on the ship by the name of "Emile Pereire", destined for Port-de-France where the precious cargo arrived on 15 November 1864.
As for the location of the lighthouse, there was a choice between Signal islet and Amédée islet, which became Amédée due to a mistake in the transcription. A Commission of experts finally opted for the latter. In the meantime, the engineer BERTIN, from September 1864 onwards, began the preparatory work on the site.
The ceremony for the placing of the first stone was fixed for 18 January 1865. Accompanied by his wife and all the town's well-known personalities, the Governor GUILLAIN embarked for Amédée islet. So too did a lead box which was to be placed under the first block, containing coins, a commemorative medal as well as the parchment on which were inscribed the names of the people present at the ceremony.
Less than 10 months later, the assembly of the tower was complete. On 15 November 1865, the same day as Empress Eugénie's birthday, guests at the inauguration climbed the 247 cast-iron steps.
Situated at the entrance to the lighthouse, a commemorative plaque is inscribed with these words : « This building was constructed by S.E.M Le Cte PROSPER DE CHASSELOUP-LAUBAT, Minister of the Navy and Colonies, based on the plans drawn up by Mr LEONCE REYNAUD, Director of Lighthouses, under the direction of Mr V. CHEVALLIER and Mr E. ALLARD, Chief Engineers for the Department of Civil Works by Mr RIGOLET, Paris builder 1862 ».
Technical details
With a total weight of 387 953 kg, the Amédée Lighthouse stands on a stone base 14 m in diameter by 1 m in height, wedged onto a coral plateau where the foundation blocks are attached. The tower, made of puddled iron, is a metallic frame covered in a thin steel wall. Its assembly is made of panels and structures bolted together.
At the top of the tower, a cast iron console supports a corbelled contruction of a wreath, decorated in stars of David, which is used as a platform for the exterior maintenance of the lamp, as well as a walking promenade for visitors.
The interior spiral stairway leads up to the top floor and the lamp room, with a total power of 30,000 candlelights, reaching 32 thousand in clear weather. The first light functioned with colza oil… until 1952. From 1952 to 1985, mantle equipment which ran on kerosene was used and then in 1985 it became automatic and was powered by a windpump. In 1994 it became solar powered.
Amédée lighthouse is rightly considered to be an optical masterpiece of wrought iron and fittings. In 1867 a model of it was displayed at the Paris Universal Exhibition on the "Champs de Mars" along with its "twin", the Roches-Douvres lighthouse, near Cherbourg. At the end of the Second World War, it came to an unenviable end when the Germans exploded it before retreating.
The Amédée Lighthouse today
With its 24 000 square kilometres, New Caledonia's lagoon is the biggest in the world. Its 1 600 kilometre coral reef enclosures an exceptional sea environment. To protect this natural wealth, many islets have been designated protected sites, the Amédée islet being one of them.
Lying at the outer extremes of the great reef, the Amédée lighthouse, 12 nautical miles from the mainland, is one of the lagoon's most pleasant destinations. The company Mary D Entreprises operates a day trip including many activities such as the lighthouse visit, snorkelling, diving, discovering the underwater flora and fauna on a glass bottom boat as well as the coral reef.
This excursion includes return boat transfers aboard the "Mary D Dolphin", a glass-bottom boat trip, a varied buffet, a welcome cocktail, a Tahitian dance performance and a paréo tying demonstration. There is also a boutique for visitors to shop in.
For diving fans, the flora and fauna in the Amédée Lighthouse's waters are fascinating. The Amédée Diving Club operates day trips where you can explore this underwater reserve, with more than 10 exceptional diving sites on offer, including the Dieppoise Shipwreck, the Boulari pass and the Sournois reef. Beginners can also go on initiation dives.