Winter Storms Wash Away Lighthouse
By Sue Clark on Jun 30, 2009 in News 
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South Africa’s Kowie River Breakwater Light Disappeared
High water and huge waves pounding the West Pier at Port Alfred, South Africa, for the past three days caused horrific damage to the concrete and washed away the little red navigational lighthouse at the end of the breakwater. Besides the loss of the iconic lighthouse, the storms caused the shifting of massive concrete blocks and rocks, and the end of the pier started tilting and cracking. The banks of the river were also damaged, with huge sinkholes appearing where the waves had scoured out the rocks.
The winter has just begun, and officials fear the pier won’t last the season without repairs being started soon. Money and a contract has already been awarded, but it didn’t take into consideration the recent damage. No money has been set aside for the replacement of the little lighthouse. The company that was awarded the contract, offered to use dolos blocks to help shore up the pier.
What Are Dolos Blocks?
According to Wikipedia, A dolos (plural dolosse) is an unusually-shaped concrete block weighing up to 20 tons which is used in great numbers to protect harbor walls from the force of the sea. They were developed in East London, a port city in South Africa, in 1963 and are found in the millions around the world.
Well, I’ve never seen them, and am not so sure I’d want to. Getting out to photograph lighthouses can be a challenge sometimes, and I’m definitely sure I wouldn’t want to navigate across these giant leg breakers.
Unfortunately, these won’t help in the loss of the lighthouse. There is no mention in the story at the Daily Dispatch if there are even plans to attempt recovery (if possible), or to rebuild beyond the “light on a stick” type of navigational aid. Although it’s not listed among the major lighthouses on lists, it still was a classic design, and you don’t see too many of those standing at the end of a breakwall. I fear this one will be lost forever.
Photo Credits:
- Stormy Seas Originally uploaded by Firefly Africa.
- Dolosse Molds and Wall by Henry Trotter. Public domain (wall) and GNU Free Documentation Licenses (molds).
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