Could you imagine navigating into Sassnitz harbor without the Sassnitz Westmolenfeuer? It stands as a steadfast guide. This red light marks the way. It is a crucial aid for ships entering the harbor. Let’s delve into the story of this important structure.
The Sassnitz Westmolenfeuer is more than just a light. It is a symbol of maritime safety. It helps vessels safely navigate the waters. The first harbor construction began in 1889. By 1896, a red fixed light marked the head of the landmole. This early beacon stood seven meters above the average water level. It sat atop a white iron tower. The tower was just over four meters tall.
In 1897, the Sassnitz to Trelleborg post steamer route opened. The harbor entrance changed. A red lantern on the west end guided ships. Ships had to keep this light to starboard. Black buoys marked the port side of the 200-meter wide entrance.
By 1898, a fog signal cannon stood on the east side. It fired every five minutes. This warned ships during foggy weather. A bell at the mole’s west end also signaled the harbor entrance.
In 1903, plans were made to change the west mole’s light. The old white iron tower would be removed. A temporary red light was placed about four meters east. It shone from a wooden mast.
A new light was planned for the west mole’s end. It would show white and red interrupted light. It would flash every five seconds. This light would burn at 12.5 meters.
In 1904, trials began with the new west mole light. It was a wrought iron tower. The tower was about two meters in diameter. It stood roughly 10 meters tall. The light was white and red interrupted. It flashed every five seconds. The tower’s lower part was white. The upper part was red. Its six supporting feet were also red.
A new fog signal was added. It was a Pieter’s trumpet. It emitted single tones every 10 seconds. Both the new light and fog signal underwent testing. The definitive characteristics and color would be announced later.
By May 1904, the new light was complete. It was in a wrought iron tower. The light was fed with pressurized gas. It showed white and red interrupted light. The white sector had a luminous intensity of 670 Hefner candles. The fog signal was also operational. It produced single tones of 2.5 seconds every 10 seconds.
In 1908, Sassnitz harbor was rebuilt into a railway ferry port. A new west mole was built. During construction, temporary lights guided ships.
By 1909, the west mole light was a red fixed light. It shone from an iron gray lattice mast. An electrically operated double bell served as a fog signal.
In 1910, the red fixed light and bell were moved back. They sat on a red-brown iron frame. The frame had a white stripe for daytime visibility. The light stood 10 meters high. The bell was at 10.5 meters.
By 1913, the west mole light used electric light. The light was on top of a red-brown iron frame. The frame featured a white vertical stripe. A double bell signaled in foggy conditions.
In 1938, the light switched from gas to electric power.
Today, the Sassnitz Westmolenfeuer continues to guide ships. In 1977, a new light was established. The red light has a range of three nautical miles. The light stands at 10 meters. It is a red lantern house on red feet. It also serves as the lower light of the Sassnitz range. This ensures safe passage into the harbor. The Sassnitz Westmolenfeuer remains a vital part of Sassnitz’s maritime heritage.