Historical information

The telescope is original to the Wilsons Promontory Lightstation and was provided by the Department of Shipping and Transport in about 1900. The device magnifies images of distant objects through its curved interior mirrors, and lightkeepers used this telescope to monitor and record the names of ships, the time they passed, and their direction, as well as read meanings of flags and other visual signals communicated by vessels. The telescope is similar to Cape Nelson’s two metre long telescope, which is included in the VHR registration for the Cape Nelson Lightstation.

Significance

It is particularly important for its good condition, completeness and confirmed provenance and has first level contributory significance to the cultural heritage values of the lightstation.

Physical description

.1 Brass telescope, cylindrical tube shape with mobile interfolding sections. Middle section of tube has been covered with textile or leather and painted black. Narrow plaited rope fixed as a border to this section is also painted black. .2. The telescope is attached by a brass fitting to a wooden tripod on a three legged triangular ply wood base with three castors.