Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse

Infobox_Lighthouse


caption = Closer view of the lighthouse at the "World's End"
location = convert|5|nmi|km|abbr=on E of Ushuaia, Argentina
coordinates =coord|54|52|17|S|68|05|2|W|type:landmark_region:AR
yearbuilt =
yearlit = 1920
automated =
yeardeactivated =
foundation =
construction = Bricks
shape = Conical
marking = Red with a broad white band, black lantern room
height =
elevation = 22.5 m (74ft)
lens =
currentlens =
intensity =
range = convert|7.5|nmi|km|abbr=on
characteristic = Fl. 10s
fogsignal =
admiralty = G1320
NGA = 111-2620
ARLHS = ARG-016

Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse (the French name "Les Éclaireurs" means "the Enlighteners" or "the Scouts") is a slightly conically shaped lighthouse standing on the northeastern-most islet of the five or more "Les Eclaireurs islets", which it takes its name from, 5 seamiles east of Ushuaia in the Beagle Channel, Tierra del Fuego, southern Argentina. The brick-built tower is convert|10|m|0 high and convert|3|m|0 wide at the base, with its windowless wall painted red-white-red and topped by a black lantern housing and galery. Only a door pointing to the west provides access to the building. The light is convert|22.5|m|0 above sealevel emitting white flashes every ten seconds with a range of 7.5 seamiles. The lighthouse, still in operation, is remote-controlled, automated, uninhabited, and not open to the public, garding the sea entrance to Ushuaia. Electricity is supplied by solar-panels. On December 23, 1920 the lighthouse was put into service - today probably the most photographed lighthouse in Southamerica.

It is a popular tourist attraction, reached on short boat tours from Ushuaia. It is known to the Argentines as the Lighthouse at the End of the World ("Faro del fin del mundo"), although that name is misleading. The lighthouse is often confused with the "San Juan de Salvamento" lighthouse on the east coast of the remote Isla de los Estados, made famous by Jules Verne in the novel "The Lighthouse at the End of the World", which is actually much further east.

See also

* Cape Horn

References

*cite web|url=http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/lighthouse/arg2.htm|author=Rowlett, Russ|title=The Lighthouse Directory