Port Curtis Southeastern leading lights …

Rare  lithograph of the Port Curtis light at Sea Hill, Fitzroy River.

By November 1894 the Queensland Marine Department planned to erect a new lighthouse at Sea Hill, and in February 1895 the tender of Mr A Lind, of Brisbane, for £113 5s, was accepted. A Queensland Marine Department plan of the lighthouse was signed on 16 January 1895 by the Engineer E A Cullen and by the Port master TM Almond (1 February 1895). This plan shows the timber framing for a two-storey truncated cone tower, about 25 feet 10 inches (7.87m) in height between the base plate and the bottom of the lantern and its surrounding gallery (balcony). The base diameter was 14 feet 1 inch (4.29m), with a 7 feet 4 inch (2.24m) diameter at the top of the tower. The Little Sea Hill lighthouse was almost finished by the end of April 1895, but the illuminating apparatus did not arrive until July 1895. The light was exhibited on 7 August and was visible for 16 miles (25.7km) in clear weather. A May 1895 plan shows a Fourth Order Fixed and Condensing Apparatus, by Chance Brothers and Co Ltd. The light had a 250mm focal radius, used a three wick Trinity [House] burner (for paraffin oil, or kerosene), and had red and white sectors. The new lighthouse and apparatus cost £500.