Little Basses Reef lighthouse
Two panels of sealed beams were mounted on the rotating pedestal at Little Basses lighthouse to produce two flashes. The Basses reefs are always awash with waves breaking over them, making it difficult and dangerous to reach the towers. Thus, stores, provisions, and personnel were exchanged through a rope passed from a Derrick Boom at the tower to a 33-foot clinker-built wooden Surf Boat, which was skillfully maneuvered close to the lighthouse away from the mother vessel.
Four Lighthouse Keepers manage each lighthouse, and Kirinda is the base from where relief and stores are sent out once every six weeks. Originally, the Surf Boat sailed to the lighthouse using its own sail, which sometimes took six days to reach Little Basses lighthouse. During rough weather, the Surf Boat would seek shelter in the bays along the coast, namely Amaduwa, Pattanangala, Pillinnawa, and Pottana.
In the 1940s, the Surf Boat was towed to the lighthouse by the motor launch "Pharos I," and 30 years later...
Four Lighthouse Keepers manage each lighthouse, and Kirinda is the base from where relief and stores are sent out once every six weeks. Originally, the Surf Boat sailed to the lighthouse using its own sail, which sometimes took six days to reach Little Basses lighthouse. During rough weather, the Surf Boat would seek shelter in the bays along the coast, namely Amaduwa, Pattanangala, Pillinnawa, and Pottana.
In the 1940s, the Surf Boat was towed to the lighthouse by the motor launch "Pharos I," and 30 years later...
