Description

History of the Iron Pot

The History of the Iron Pot – First lit on 12 November 1832, details a lighthouse originally powered by sperm whale oil.  Although officially renamed Derwent Lighthouse in 1884, the name Iron Pot has remained in use including on official documents.

First lit on 12 November 1832, the Iron Pot stands at the entrance to the Derwent River in southern Tasmania and is Australia’s oldest lighthouse tower.  The lighthouse was manned until 1920.

In 1997 the light was converted to solar power, the first in Australia.

This is a comprehensive history of this lighthouse, and also a fascinating study of life in the colony and of its transition to the modern state of Tasmania.