Xiyu Lighthouse (Fisherman Island Lighthouse) Introduction
The Yuong Island Lighthouse is a national historic site. It is located at the Cape of Yizaiwei on the western side of Waian Village in Xiyu Township. The western sea area here is known for the "West Flow" among the six major currents in Penghu (including Yanzhai, Erhou, Sanxiliu, Sijiaotou, Wutamman, and Dongji), which has historically served as a landmark for ships traveling between Taiwan and Xiamen. In the 43rd year of the Qianlong reign (1778), Governor Jiang Yuanshu and Penghu Food Safety Office's Chief Judge Xie Weiqi constructed the Xiyu Lighthouse to provide a maritime marker for ships coming from Xiamen. This was the first lighthouse built in the Taiwan and Penghu region. According to the existing inscription of the "Xiyu Lighthouse Monument": "Penghu lies between Taiwan and Xiamen, and Xiyu is particularly important. When winds are unpredictable, all commercial and government ships rely on Xiyu for rest." This highlights the significance of building the Xiyu Lighthouse at this location. The original structure of the Xiyu Lighthouse, according to the inscription, was: "Based on the ancient base of the island, it was widened to five zhang, with a stone lighthouse consisting of seven levels, each level being seven feet, solidly built for permanence. A long-lasting lamp was placed at the top…" Additionally, a temple was built beside the lighthouse to worship Ma Zu, the goddess of the sea. The temple master would ascend the tower every evening to light the lamp. Due to frequent damage from storms, in the 3rd year of the Daoguang reign (1823), Penghu's official Jiang Yong and naval commander Chen Yuanrong raised funds to repair the lighthouse. However, the oil lamp at the top emitted weak light, failing to meet international lighthouse light standards. Countries such as Britain, the United States, Japan, and France urged the Qing government to construct a new lighthouse. In the 12th year of the Tongzhi reign (1873), a representative from the Fujian Customs was sent to Xiyu to acquire land for a new lighthouse and related facilities. In the 13th year of Tongzhi (1874), a British engineer, David M. Henderson, was hired to design the new Western-style lighthouse. The Xiyu Lighthouse was rebuilt with a round cast iron structure, painted white, and the triangle above the entrance bore the embossed name (David M. Henderson 1874). Construction began on July 11, 1875, and was completed in November of the same year. The lighthouse began operating on November 18 and hired foreign personnel to man it. A grave of the daughter of a British lighthouse keeper can still be found near the western wall of the lighthouse, marked by a cross-shaped tombstone inscribed with "Nelly O'Driscoll." After completion and illumination, it was officially named the "Yuong Island Lighthouse." The rebuilt Yuong Island Lighthouse stands 11 meters tall, with a light height of 67.7 meters. In addition, three fog guns were installed on the southwest side of the lighthouse to provide warnings of approaching ships during fog. During the Japanese colonial period, the lighthouse continued to operate with Qing-era equipment, and a louvered weather observatory was added. In the 30th year of the Meiji era (1897), under the Japanese military stationed in Penghu, an undersea telephone line was laid between Mazuong and the Yuong Island Lighthouse, marking the beginning of wired telephones in the Taiwan and Penghu areas. During World War II, from July 5 to August 7, 1945, it was subjected to attacks by American bombers but fortunately sustained minor damage, allowing the lighthouse to continue its operation. In 1966, the Yuong Island Lighthouse was upgraded to a fourth-order rotating lens electric light, with an intensity of 180,000 candlepower and a range of 25.1 nautical miles. In 1981, two "electric fog horns" were added to enhance navigation safety for ships in low visibility. Source: National Cultural Heritage Administration 【Recommended stay duration】 2 hours.
Xiyu Lighthouse (Fisherman Island Lighthouse)
