Xiyu Lighthouse (Fisherman Island Lighthouse) Introduction
Yuwong Island Lighthouse is a national historic site. It is located at the tip of the cape at Yizaiwei, on the west side of Wai'an Village in Xiyu Township. The waters to the west are part of the “Western Current” among the six major currents in Penghu (Yizai, Houbang, Xiliu, Edoudou, Tanmen, and Dongji), which has historically served as a navigation marker for vessels traveling between Taiwan and Xiamen. In the 43rd year of the Qianlong reign (1778), Governor Jiang Yuanshu of Taiwan and Xie Weiqi, the Deputy Commissioner of the Penghu Grain and Defense Office, established the Xiyu Lighthouse here to serve as a navigational marker for vessels coming from Xiamen, making it the first lighthouse built in Taiwan and the Penghu area. The existing inscription on the "Monument of the Establishment of Xiyu Lighthouse" states: “Penghu lies between Taiwan and Xiamen, and Xiyu is particularly crucial. In times of bad weather, it is imperative for official and merchant vessels to take refuge in Xiyu.” This highlights the significance of building the Xiyu Lighthouse at this location. The original structure of the Xiyu Lighthouse, as described in the inscription, was built on an ancient platform with a base 5 zhang wide. Seven levels built of stones rose to a height of about 7 feet, solid and intended to last forever, with a bright lamp installed at the top. A temple was also built alongside the lighthouse to enshrine Mazu, the goddess of the sea. Every evening, the temple's abbot would go to the top of the tower to light the lamp. Due to years of damage from typhoons, in the 3rd year of the Daoguang reign (1823), Penghu Chief Deputy Jiang Yong and Admiral Chen Yuanrong raised funds to repair the Xiyu Lighthouse. However, the light from the oil lamp atop the lighthouse was too weak to meet international standards for lighthouses, prompting countries like Britain, the United States, Japan, and France to request the Qing government to construct a new type of lighthouse. In the 12th year of the Tongzhi reign (1873), an agent from the Fujian customs authority was sent to Xiyu to purchase land for the new lighthouse, which was rebuilt along with its auxiliary facilities. In the 13th year of Tongzhi (1874), British engineer David M. Henderson was hired to design a Western-style lighthouse. The Xiyu Lighthouse was remodeled into a round cast-iron structure, painted white, and the triangular doorframe at the entrance bore embossed English lettering (DAVID M. HENDERSON 1874). Construction began on July 11, 1875, and was completed in November of the same year. The lamp was first lit on November 18, and a foreign staff member was stationed at the lighthouse. Near the western wall of the lighthouse, the grave of the daughter of the British lighthouse keeper is still visible, marked with a cross-shaped headstone inscribed with "Nelly O’Driscoll." Once completed and operational, it was officially named the "Yuwong Island Lighthouse." After the new construction, Yuwong Island Lighthouse stands 11 meters tall, with the light at a height of 67.7 meters. A foghorn and two cannon were also set up to warn passing vessels during foggy weather. During the Japanese colonial period, the lighthouse continued to operate with equipment from the Qing Dynasty and added a louver-type meteorological observer. In 1897, a submarine telephone line was installed between Magong and the Yuwong Island Lighthouse using the wired communication facilities of the Japanese military stationed in Penghu, marking the beginning of wired communication in the Taiwan-Penghu region. During World War II, from July 5 to August 7, 1945, it was attacked by American bombers but fortunately suffered only minor damage and continued to operate normally. In 1966, the Yuwong Island Lighthouse was upgraded to a fourth-class rotating lens electric light, with a luminous power of 180,000 candlepower and a range of 25.1 nautical miles. In 1981, two “electric fog signals” were added to enhance the safety of navigation for vessels in low visibility. Source: National Cultural Heritage Administration【Suggested Stay Time】 2 hours
Xiyu Lighthouse (Fisherman Island Lighthouse)
