Swallowtail Lighthouse, Federal heritage lighthouse on North Head peninsula, Grand Manan Island, Canada.
Swallowtail Lighthouse is a white wooden tower standing 16.2 meters tall on a clifftop at the North Head peninsula. The structure features a distinctive red cross pattern on its exterior and sits alongside a separate residence that once housed the lighthouse keeper.
Construction began in 1859 following the wreck of the merchant vessel Lord Ashburton, with operations starting in 1860. This was the island's first lighthouse, establishing a new era of navigational safety for ships in the area.
The lighthouse holds deep meaning for Grand Manan residents as a symbol of their maritime heritage and connection to the sea. It stands as a tangible link to generations of seafaring families who have called this island home.
Visitors access the site by descending cement stairs, crossing a footbridge that spans a deep gully, and walking along a gravel path through elevated terrain. Good footwear and reasonable fitness help with this moderately challenging approach.
The lighthouse produces a distinctive light pattern alternating 4 seconds of illumination with 2 seconds of darkness that can be observed from the clifftop. The fog horn sounds according to its own rhythm, sending out 2-second blasts every 18 seconds and adding an auditory dimension to the visit.
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