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Archer Point Royal Australian Navy (RAN) War Signal Station
Archer Point Conservation Park
Concrete slabs are all that remain of the former signal station on the southern approach to Cooktown harbour. A RoyalAustralian Navy (RAN) signal station began operating at Archer Point in January 1942, soon after the outbreak of war in the Pacific.
The signal station was located at the Point alongside the early lighthouse, built in the 1880s. The station camp containing about four Sidney Williams huts was located on the beach below, beside the lighthouse trolley tramway.
After operating for almost two years the signal station was relocated to Trinity Bay near Cairns. A jetty was built at Archer Point in the early 1970s as part of the development of the Lakeland Downs improved pasture project and was intended for use in loading sorghum for export to Japan. However, the export project was not successful.
The original lighthouse was closed and removed in 1979 and an automated marine light now occupies the headland. The circular concrete and iron base of the early lighthouse remains.
Place information
Location
Place type
Radar/signal station
History
The work of the RAN personnel manning the Archer Point War Signal Station involved signaling to and identifying all ships going north and south off the east coast of Cape York Peninsula, both inside and outside of the Great Barrier Reef. During daylight hours they used a flag pole from which signal flags were displayed. At night a peddle-powered Aldis lamp was used as there were no electricity generators. A coded message reporting all ships that passed, whether they were able to be identified or not, was sent by telephone to naval headquarters in Melbourne
A US radio direction finding (radar)...
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