It’s difficult to picture Umhlanga without its iconic red and white lighthouse that towers over the shore. It’s majestic, elegant and surprisingly well-kept considering it’s just a few feet from the ocean. With the Umhlanga Lighthouse being so symbolic of the Umhlanga beachfront, we thought it was time to delve into its rich history.
Did you know that The Oyster Box Hotel (built in 1869 as the first beach cottage in the area) has always been the lighthouse’s official warden or ‘custodian’? They helped us out with a few details about the story behind the lighthouse.
Before the Umhlanga Lighthouse was built, the Bluff Lighthouse stood in its place from 1869. Because this lighthouse had deteriorated beyond repair, it was time to replace it. Designed by the Office of the Chief Civil Engineer and constructed by the System Harbour Engineer, the Umhlanga lighthouse was completed in 1954. The structure is 21 metres high with a range of light of 24 nautical miles.
Like any story behind an old building, there were some challenges. Interestingly, the structure was originally going to be built where The Oyster Box Hotel’s swimming pool sits today, however, in January 1953, heavy erosion occurred in that designated spot when 330 millimetres of rain fell in less than one day. It was decided it would be cheaper to build the lighthouse closer to the ocean on a solid rock foundation. Speaking of money, the cost of the lighthouse was a pricey R23 838!
The lighthouse was also commissioned only in 1954 due to delays with the decision to include a subsidiary red-sector light (a fixed light installed on the floor below the main revolving light) which had to be imported from England. This fixed light now helps ships waiting to anchor in the outer anchorage of Durban Harbour to keep track of their position. If the red light can be seen from the ship, it means they are too close to the shore!
Before the lighthouse was up and running, there was no customary three-month notice issued to mariners worldwide, so warnings had to be broadcasted from local maritime radio stations to tell shipmasters of the new lighthouse.
So, why was the iconic white with a red top and lantern house pattern chosen? This is our lighthouse’s daymark, which is a unique marker to help mariners see and identify the lighthouse during the day. You can be sure that the lighthouse will stay this way for MANY years.
Today, the lighthouse is automatic and unmanned. It warns ships of hidden dangers and welcomes them to Durban Harbour. The lighthouse has never had a ‘keeper’, but you may wonder what responsibilities The Oyster Box Hotel has as its ‘custodian’. Well, before the hotel’s renovation in 2007, the lighthouse controls used to be situated within the hotel office. Now, the lighthouse has an alarm system that is connected to the hotel’s reception, which triggers if there’s equipment failure, a fire or unauthorised entry. If the alarm goes off, the hotel staff must notify the maintenance depot in Durban.
The Oyster Box Hotel is also responsible for letting Portnet’s Lighthouse Service know if the light isn’t working, however, that is where it ends! Transnet and the Port Authorities are responsible for changing the light and any other upkeep of the lighthouse.
Every five years, the gorgeous tower gets a fresh coat of paint as part of its routine maintenance, with the latest repaint being in 2020. This is not an easy job, as the paint has to withstand tough conditions and the maintenance itself must have little impact on the environment.
The next time you take a walk on the promenade or spoil yourself with the trip to The Oyster Box Hotel’s Lighthouse Bar, take a moment to truly appreciate our iconic local landmark, its interesting history, and the beauty it brings to our coastline.
Words: Jordyn Trollip