View source for Waglan Island

{{Use British English|date=September 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}}
{{Infobox islands
| name             = Waglan Island
| local_name      = {{lang|yue-HK|橫瀾島}}
| image_name      = Po Toi Islands Aerial .jpg
| image_caption    = Waglan Island and the Po Toi group of islands
| map_image        = Waglan Island Location.png
| map_caption      = Location of Waglan Island within Hong Kong
| location         = [[South China Sea]]
| area_km2         = 0.104
| country          = {{HKG}}
| country_admin_divisions_title   = [[Districts of Hong Kong|District]]
| country_admin_divisions         = [[Islands District]]
| population       = 0
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
|order=
|showflag=
|t=橫瀾島
|s=横澜岛
|j=Waang<sup>4</sup> laan<sup>4</sup> dou<sup>2</sup> 
|y=Wàahng làahn dóu
|p=Hénglándǎo
}}'''Waglan Island''' ({{zh|t=橫瀾島|j={{kCantonese|橫瀾島}}}}) is a member of the [[Po Toi Islands|Po Toi group of islands]] in [[Hong Kong]]. Waglan Lighthouse, a declared monument dating to 1893 stands there. Since 1989 Waglan lighthouse is automated and Waglan Island is uninhabited. The island also hosts a ground of meteorological observation and recording for the Hong Kong Observatory.<ref name=":0" />

==Climate==

{{Weather box|width=auto
|metric first=y
|single line=y 
|collapsed = Y
|location = Waglan Island (1991–2020)
<!-- Record high temperatures -->
| Jan record high C = 28.5
| Feb record high C = 28.8
| Mar record high C = 32.3
| Apr record high C = 33.4
| May record high C = 37.9
| Jun record high C = 38.4
| Jul record high C =  37.7
| Aug record high C =  38.1
| Sep record high C =  36.9
| Oct record high C = 35.1
| Nov record high C = 33.1
| Dec record high C = 29.9
| year record high C = 38.4
<!-- Record low temperatures -->
| Jan record low C = 3.4
| Feb record low C = 6.0
| Mar record low C = 7.8
| Apr record low C = 10.2
| May record low C = 17.4
| Jun record low C =  20.2
| Jul record low C =  21.5
| Aug record low C =  21.7
| Sep record low C =  18.7
| Oct record low C =  16.1
| Nov record low C =  9.8
| Dec record low C = 4.4
| year record low C =  3.4
|Jan high C = 	18.5
|Feb high C = 	18.8
|Mar high C = 	20.9
|Apr high C = 	24.9
|May high C = 	28.5
|Jun high C = 	30.6
|Jul high C = 	31.4
|Aug high C = 	31.4
|Sep high C = 	30.9
|Oct high C = 	28.4
|Nov high C = 	24.6
|Dec high C = 	20.4
|Jan mean C = 	15.7
|Feb mean C = 	16.2
|Mar mean C = 	18.3
|Apr mean C = 	22.0
|May mean C = 	25.5
|Jun mean C = 	27.8
|Jul mean C = 	28.3
|Aug mean C = 	28.1
|Sep mean C = 	27.6
|Oct mean C = 	25.3
|Nov mean C = 	21.8
|Dec mean C = 	17.7
|Jan low C = 	14.0
|Feb low C = 	14.5
|Mar low C = 	16.6
|Apr low C = 	20.2
|May low C = 	23.7
|Jun low C = 	25.7
|Jul low C = 	26.1
|Aug low C = 	25.9
|Sep low C = 	25.5
|Oct low C = 	23.6
|Nov low C = 	20
|Dec low C = 	15.8
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 	23.8
|Feb precipitation mm = 	26.2
|Mar precipitation mm = 	45.8
|Apr precipitation mm = 	102.0
|May precipitation mm = 	167.7
|Jun precipitation mm = 	215.4
|Jul precipitation mm = 	184.6
|Aug precipitation mm = 	207.3
|Sep precipitation mm = 	173.4
|Oct precipitation mm = 	47.3
|Nov precipitation mm = 	26.2
|Dec precipitation mm = 	16.0
|Jan humidity = 	76.4
|Feb humidity = 	82.0
|Mar humidity = 	85.0
|Apr humidity = 	86.9
|May humidity = 	86.9
|Jun humidity = 	86.1
|Jul humidity = 	85.7
|Aug humidity = 	86.8
|Sep humidity = 	81.0
|Oct humidity = 	74.4
|Nov humidity = 	74.8
|Dec humidity = 	72.0
|source 1 = [[Hong Kong Observatory]]<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/cis/awsMonthlyElement.htm?stn=WGL&ele=TEMP
| title = Monthly Data for Single Element
| publisher = Hong Kong Observatory
| access-date = 5 April 2024
}}</ref>
}}

== History ==

=== Pre-1900 ===
Before the 1840s, there was not much sea traffic in Hong Kong. But after the Treaties of Nanking, Peking and Tientsin from 1842-1860, the [[Government of the Qing dynasty|Qing government]] was forced to open more trading ports. [[Hong Kong]] was one such port that became strategic for merchants arriving from [[Europe]], hence [[Lighthouse|lighthouses]] were needed to guide ships safely to port.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ha |first=Louis |last2=Waters |first2=Dan |date=2001 |title=HONG KONG'S LIGHTHOUSES AND THE MEN WHO MANNED THEM |url=https://www.cultus.hk/writings/lighthouse.pdf |journal=[[Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong Branch]] |pages=282-283}}</ref>
[[File:Notice to Mariners.png|thumb|249x249px|Notice to Mariners in 1893 about the inauguration of the Waglan Lighthouse.]]
Waglan Lighthouse entered service on 9 May 1893, the layout of Waglan Island Lighthouse was designed by David Marr Henderson, Engineer in Chief of the [[Chinese Maritime Customs Service|Chinese Maritime Customs]]. The original plan included the lighthouse, living quarters, a fresh water collection tank, and a [[derrick]] used to transport people and cargo onto the island.<ref>{{Cite map|last=Henderson|first=David Marr|title=Waglan Island Lighthouse - Plan of Station|date=3 March 1894|publisher=Institute of Civil Engineers|publication-place=UK|url=https://foa-media.arch.hku.hk/media/upload/2021/06/image4.jpeg}}</ref><ref name=":1">Ir Dr. S.W. Poon; Dr. K. Y. Deng; Ir K.F. Man, [https://www.lordwilson-heritagetrust.org.hk/filemanager/archive/project_doc/27-9-56-2/1.pdf "The Waglan Island: The Lights, the Elements and the Skies - Research Monograph"], June 2021, p.64.</ref> It was managed by the [[Chinese Maritime Customs Service|Chinese Maritime Customs]] from Shanghai. 
[[File:Waglan Lighthouse plan 1894.jpeg|thumb|361x361px|Plan of Wagland Island Lighthouse in 3 March 1894, drawn by David Marr Henderson.]]
Before Waglan Lighthouse entered service in 1893, Waglan Island was an [[uninhabited island]]. After the lighthouse's operation there have been a number of keepers who lived in Waglan Island. The working team who managed the lighthouse consisted of one principal [[Lighthouse keeper|Lighthouse Keeper]], two lighthouse keepers, five attendants (who did chores such as grass cutting and cleaning), and one cook. The team would spend one month on Waglan which was followed by one week's leave.<ref>Ha; Waters. [https://www.cultus.hk/writings/lighthouse.pdf HONG KONG'S LIGHTHOUSES AND THE MEN WHO MANNED THEM]. p. 295.</ref> Initially, [[Germany|German]] keepers were used.

=== 1900 - World War II ===
On 1 March 1901, Waglan island was transferred to the [[British Hong Kong|British]] after the [[Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory|Lease of New Territories and outlying islands]] in 1898.<ref name=":1" /> The [[British Hong Kong|Hong Kong British Government]] paid $2,943.60 to the [[Government of the Qing dynasty|Qing government]] for the furniture and maintenance of the lighthouse. Employing 3 Europeans and assisted by 6 Chinese as the working team.<ref>Ir Dr. S.W. Poon; Dr. K. Y. Deng; Ir K.F. Man, [https://www.lordwilson-heritagetrust.org.hk/filemanager/archive/project_doc/27-9-56-2/1.pdf "The Waglan Island: The Lights, the Elements and the Skies - Research Monograph"],  p. 13-14.</ref> In the coming years, a [[Saluting Battery (Valletta)|saluting battery]] featuring three [[18-pounder short gun|18 pounder]] [[Cannon|cannons]] was installed for fog signals and defense.<ref>"Saluting Battery" is the term used by a [https://gwulo.com/media/12676 postcard] from 1910.</ref><ref>Roger Banister, Chinese Maritime Custom Chapter II, Southern District, 1932.</ref>

In 1923 a twin type [[Diaphone]] was installed as a replacement to the cannons' fog signal. It produced a two tone blast, an upper tone followed by a full steady low tone of equal or greater duration than the first tone.<ref>April 1922, China Mail, MD Annual reports.</ref> The [[Diaphone]] was powered a with [[diesel engine]] and [[compressor]], and could be heard 5 miles away in the worst fog.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Freeman |first=Maurice |date=21 May 1950 |title=WORLD'S MOST MODERN LIGHTHOUSE FLASHES IN HONGKONG: Waglan's New Plant Begins Operation ALMOST AN AUTOMATON |work=SCMP}}</ref>

=== World War II ===
In Dec 1941, in preparation of [[World War II]], the original lens and lamp lens, along with the communication equipment were destroyed by the [[Royal Navy|British Navy]]. On 13 Dec 10:30 am the keeper and staff were evacuated and taken to [[Aberdeen, Hong Kong|Aberdeen]].<ref name=":3" /> Subsequently after the [[Japanese occupation of Hong Kong|Japanese invasion of Hong Kong]], Japanese troops were stationed on the island.<ref>Ha; Waters. [https://www.cultus.hk/writings/lighthouse.pdf HONG KONG'S LIGHTHOUSES AND THE MEN WHO MANNED THEM]. p. 296.</ref> Waglan Island Lighthouse was extensively damaged by the Japanese and the aerial bombings by Allied aircraft during [[World War II]].

=== Post-war ===
In 1945 after [[World War II]] the lighthouse resumed operations, installing a temporary light for the purpose. In January 1946, the Hong Kong Civil Affairs Committee approved HK$2,050,000 for the reconstruction and modernization of Waglan Lighthouse and it's facilities.<ref name=":2" />

As a result of the funding, in 1950 a new light was put into service. Dubbed "World's most modern lighthouse" by [[South China Morning Post|SCMP]], it was assembled from parts totaling 25 tonnes, ordered from two [[British Empire|British]] companies and the AGA firm in [[Sweden]].<ref name=":2" /> from 1950 to 1960 Many facilities were also improved or built in the lighthouse compound. Including: a new building to house 25-ton generator and machines (1950); [[Wireless|Wireless Communication]] equipment (1950s); three new water tanks (1953); The Royal Observatory, Cable & Wireless Ltd. buildings, Radio and Weather Station (1952); a new fog horn system on top of the engine room (1955).<ref>Ir Dr. S.W. Poon; Dr. K. Y. Deng; Ir K.F. Man, [https://www.lordwilson-heritagetrust.org.hk/filemanager/archive/project_doc/27-9-56-2/1.pdf "The Waglan Island: The Lights, the Elements and the Skies - Research Monograph"].</ref> Damaged air raid shelter tunnels were also back-filled. 

==Waglan lighthouse==
{{Infobox lighthouse
| qid = Q11122301
| name = Waglan Island Lighthouse<br>''Wang Lan To''
| image = 橫瀾燈塔 Waglan Island Lighthouse, 1910s.jpg
| caption = Waglan lighthouse in the 1910s
| location = Waglan Island, [[Hong Kong]]
| coordinates = {{coord|22.181991|N|114.302880|E|display=inline}}
| yearbuilt = 1893
| automated = 1989
| construction = cast iron tower
| shape = cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern
| marking = white tower with a horizontal red band under the balcony, white lantern
| height = {{convert|16|m|ft}}
| focalheight = {{convert|69|m|ft}}
| range = {{convert|24|nmi}}
| characteristic = Fl (2) W 20s.
| fogsignal = two blasts every 60s.
| country = Hong Kong
| countrynumber = HK-102<ref>{{cite rowlett|hkg|access-date=January 13, 2016}}</ref>
}}
The Waglan Lighthouse on Waglan Island has been listed as a [[Declared monuments of Hong Kong|declared monument of Hong Kong]] since 2000. It commenced operation in 1893; it is one of the five surviving pre-war lighthouses in Hong Kong.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url=http://www.amo.gov.hk/en/monuments_71.php |title=Antiquities and Monuments Office:Waglan Lighthouse |access-date=16 October 2006 |archive-date=28 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528211254/http://www.amo.gov.hk/en/monuments_71.php |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The lighthouse itself was built by [[Paris]] lighthouse makers Barbier, Bénard & Turenne as one of two identical lights for the [[Chinese Maritime Customs Service|Chinese Maritime Customs]] Marine Department (the other was Beiyushan Lighthouse). Both were some of the first lighthouses in the world to use a new [[Mercury (element)|mercury]] bath rotating lens design that allowed an 8 tonne first order lens to be rotated with the push of a finger. They were constructed of [[cast iron]], disassembled and shipped out for reassembly in their chosen locations.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Waglan Island lighthouse – a brief history |url=https://industrialhistoryhk.org/waglan-island-lighthouse-brief-history/ |website=The Industrial History of Hong Kong Group}}</ref>

During the 1930s, two Chinese became second class [[Lighthouse keeper|lighthouse keepers]]: Wong Kai Chung from 1930 and Leung Chiu Tung from 1933. Both of them have been stationed at Gap Rock lighthouse as apprentices before being promoted and transferred to Waglan Lighthouse.<ref>Ir Dr. S.W. Poon; Dr. K. Y. Deng; Ir K.F. Man, [https://www.lordwilson-heritagetrust.org.hk/filemanager/archive/project_doc/27-9-56-2/1.pdf "The Waglan Island: The Lights, the Elements and the Skies - Research Monograph"], June 2021, p.48-49.</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Lighthouse of Wagland Island.jpg|Lighthouse of Waglan Island.
File:Waglan Island.PNG|Waglan Island as seen from the north.
File:Waglan Island and Waglan Lighthouse compound.png|Waglan Island and Waglan Lighthouse compound.
</gallery>

== See also ==
{{portal|Islands}}
* [[Hong Kong Observatory]]
* [[Green Island Lighthouse Compound]]
* [[Cape D'Aguilar Lighthouse]]
* [[Tang Lung Chau Lighthouse]]
* [[List of lighthouses in China]]
* [[SS Hsin Wah|SS ''Hsin Wah'']]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite journal |last1= Ha|first1= Louis|last2= Waters|first2= Dan|year=2001 |title=Hong Kong's Lighthouses and the Men Who Manned Them|journal= [[Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong Branch]]|volume= 41|pages=281–320 |url=http://hkjo.lib.hku.hk/archive/files/203758cdeb1696e0f3fb7ceca59e88b1.pdf |issn= 1991-7295}}

==External links==
* [http://www.weather.gov.hk Hong Kong Observatory website]
* [https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&om=1&ie=UTF8&z=16&ll=22.184782,114.304869&spn=0.008961,0.014591&t=k Aerial image from Google Maps]
* [https://www.arch.hku.hk/research_project/sentinelling-the-century-old-waglan-island-stories-about-lighthouse-keepers-weather-observers-telecommunication-technicians-and-navy-forces/ HKU research project (with photos)]

{{stack|}}
{{Commons category|position=left|Waglan Island}}


{{Portalbar|Hong Kong|Islands}}
{{Islands District}}
{{Islands of Hong Kong}}
{{Authority control | additional=Q11122301}}

{{Coord|22|10|55|N|114|18|12|E|display=title|type:isle}}

[[Category:Uninhabited islands of Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Lighthouses in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Lighthouses completed in 1893]]
[[Category:1893 establishments in Asia]]
[[Category:Po Toi Islands]]
[[Category:Populated places in Hong Kong]]