Green Island Lighthouse Introduction
In December 1937, the world's largest luxury ocean liner at the time, the President Hoover, departed from Keelung towards the Philippines. Due to dense fog, it ran aground in the waters off Green Island (Chai Kou). The next morning, residents of Green Island sent out canoes to rescue the crew and passengers, eventually bringing them ashore and accommodating them in their homes, earning widespread international praise. In gratitude for the bravery of the Green Island residents, the U.S. authorities donated funds through the Red Cross to build the Green Island Lighthouse. During World War II, the lighthouse was destroyed in an air raid, and the current lighthouse seen today was rebuilt by the Republic of China government in 1948. The Green Island Lighthouse stands approximately 33.3 meters tall and has 150 steps, offering a view of the entire island from its top. The structure is made of reinforced concrete and features a cylindrical shape. Originally, it was painted in a black and white checkerboard pattern, with the exterior walls and surrounding walls adorned with pebbles. After the reconstruction in 1948, it was entirely painted solid white. The existing lighthouse uses a modern Grade IV rotating lens electric light that flashes white twice every 20 seconds and has a luminosity equivalent to 1 million candlepower, providing a more advanced navigation aid for mariners. Since 2013, all lighthouses in Taiwan have been managed by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications' Maritime and Port Bureau, and the lighthouse itself is not open to the public. However, the Green Island Lighthouse Park is open for sightseeing. From March to May every year, wild lilies bloom abundantly around the Green Island Lighthouse, providing a stunning view for visitors.
