Green Island Lighthouse Introduction
In December 1937, the luxurious ocean liner "President Hoover," considered the largest in the world at the time, departed from Keelung towards the Philippines. Due to heavy fog, it ran aground in the waters off Green Island. The next morning, the residents of Green Island mobilized and used small boats to rescue the crew and passengers, accommodating them in their homes, which received widespread international praise. In gratitude for the residents' bravery, 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 was rebuilt in 1948 by the Republic of China government. The Green Island Lighthouse stands about 33.3 meters tall and has 150 steps leading to the top, where visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the island. The structure is made of reinforced concrete, with a cylindrical shape. Originally, its exterior was painted in alternating black and white stripes, while the walls of the building and surrounding wall were covered in pebbles. After the reconstruction in 1948, it was all painted pure white. The current lighthouse features a modern fourth-order rotating lens and an alternating current light, flashing white light twice every 20 seconds, with a luminous intensity of 1 million candlepower. This advanced equipment allows sailors to better determine their direction based on the light source. Since 2013, all lighthouses in Taiwan have been managed by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, and the tower is not open to the public, except for the Green Island Lighthouse park, which is open for sightseeing. From March to May each year, the wild lilies bloom on Green Island, providing a beautiful sight in front of the lighthouse for the public to enjoy.
