Ever heard the tale of a nautical guardian nicknamed “Råttfällan”? That’s Malmö vågbrytarbank. It stands west of Malmö harbor’s inlet. It is about 500 meters north of Scaniaparken’s coast.
Malmö vågbrytarbank isn’t just a pretty sight. It is a critical navigational aid. Imagine sailors of yesteryear. They relied on this beacon to guide them safely.
The story of Malmö vågbrytarbank began in 1925. It was built on an unfinished harbor pier. This pier extends less than 1.5 meters below the water’s surface. This created an artificial reef. Many ships ran aground here. Locals then nicknamed the area “Råttfällan”. This translates to “The Rat Trap”.
Initially, Malmö vågbrytarbank used AGA lights. In 1936 it was electrified. The lighthouse shows a white light. It blinks every ten seconds. This light has specific directions. To the west-southwest it marks Trindelrännan’s direction. To the west it guides ships from Flintrännan. To the northwest it helps ships from Öresund. To the east it assists ships leaving Industrihamnen.
Malmö vågbrytarbank has a tower. It is 12 meters tall. The light’s height is 11 meters above sea level. The light can be seen for 13 nautical miles. It uses a fourth-order Fresnel lens. The tower is white.
Malmö vågbrytarbank has changed over time. In 1822 Malmö city built a wooden harbor beacon. It was about 14 meters tall. It had a gas lamp and a silver-plated copper mirror. In 1878 the lighthouse was replaced. A new octagonal tower was made of iron. It stood on a granite and fireproof brick base. Axel and Hjalmar Kumlien designed the tower. It had a fourth-order lens.
The inner lighthouse had a white light. It showed different sectors. It had a two-flash at 124.5 degrees. It was fixed at 132 degrees. It had a single flash at 150.5 degrees. There was also an outer lighthouse. It had AGA lights.
In 1898 the inner lighthouse’s kerosene lamp was replaced. It was replaced with an oil gas lamp. This lamp had an Auer burner. In 1924 the lighthouse was electrified.
In 1928 the lens was replaced. It was replaced with a third-order lens. It had colored sectors. In 1934 the inner lighthouse became fully automated.
Malmö vågbrytarbank’s purpose is clear. It prevents groundings. It guides ships safely into Malmö. The unfinished pier is a hidden danger.
Next time you are at Scaniaparken. Take a look at Malmö vågbrytarbank. Remember its history. It stands as a testament to maritime safety. This helps guide ships through tricky waters.