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Reports from readers of Lighthouse Digest in Tanzania tell us that many of their nation’s lighthouses are in danger from neglect and vandalism. In fact, the reports indicate that the government has simply abandoned some of these lighthouses, which are still functioning as aids to navigation.
Tanzania is located on the west coast of Africa and was formed by the merger of the former British colonies of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. Although some of their lighthouses were built during the time of German or British rule, many of the lighthouses have a style of construction indigenous to the region.
The lighthouses in Tanzania are managed by the Tanzania Ports and as of press time their Director has not answered our inquiries. However, reports indicate that most of the lighthouses are being solarized with modern optics and the old lenses are and equipment are simply being left in the tower and have been subject to vandalism.
Such is the case recently with the Ulenge Lighthouse on an island in Tanga Bay where the beautiful Fresnel lens was smashed to bits by vandals who were able to gain entry to the tower through a rusty door with no lock. Before smashing the glass lens vandals cut and removed all brass bars and fittings. They also cut the cables and gas pipe with a crude means and in many cases damaging all the fittings. The heavy brass door at the top will no longer close apparently because vandals tried to unsuccessfully remove it, probably to sell it.
After being left to the elements the Ulenge Lighthouse is in deplorable condition. The iron staircase is extremely rusty, windows in the tower are smashed and the interior is filthy from bird droppings.
A number of community leaders have visited the island and hopefully some of them will step forward to help with funding to save and preserve the lighthouse. Until that is done the site should at least be secured to prevent further vandalism. If you would like to help in someway you can contact Sibylle Riedmiller at sibylle@chumbeisland.com.
This story appeared in the
July 2008 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. The print edition contains more stories than our internet edition, and each story generally contains more photographs - often many more - in the print edition. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.
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