Lights out for 50 years... The touching "relighting" of Dongyin Lighthouse in Matsu once again illuminates the northern frontier of the country

▲ After 50 years, the Dongyin Lighthouse damaged by the typhoon shines again. (Photo provided by the Maritime and Port Bureau)

Reporter Lai Wenxuan / Reported from Dongyin, Matsu

Located on Dongyin Island in Matsu, Dongyin Lighthouse is the northernmost lighthouse in Taiwan. Since its construction in 1904 (8 years before the founding of the Republic of China), it has a history of 112 years. In 1966, the main light of Dongyin Lighthouse was damaged by a typhoon and remained dark for 50 years. Thanks to the active restoration efforts of the Maritime and Port Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation, the light was finally restored at 18:35 on June 5. The long-awaited lighthouse shone brightly once again, lighting the way home for the people of Matsu.

The lighthouse tower is circular and made of brick, with other auxiliary buildings all designed in 18th-century British architectural style. This year, it was officially designated as a national historic monument. The main light room of Dongyin Island Lighthouse is highly unique, originally equipped with a first-order rotating optic with a lens diameter of 1,840 millimeters, the largest among all lighthouses in Taiwan.

▲ Dongyin Lighthouse is an 18th-century British-style building, exuding a strong exotic charm. (Photo provided by the Maritime and Port Bureau)

However, in September 1966, it was struck by the powerful Typhoon Alice. Strong winds hurled debris that shattered the crystal glass of the light room and damaged the main optic, rendering the Dongyin Island Lighthouse unable to emit guiding light. As a result, in November of the same year, a fifth-order light was installed on the working platform of the lighthouse to continue assisting with navigation.

▲ The relighting ceremony of Dongyin Lighthouse, with Maritime and Port Bureau Director-General Chi Wen-jung (center) and officials from the Matsu County Government jointly initiating the relight. (Photo by reporter Lai Wenxuan)

During the relighting event held at Dongyin Island Lighthouse on June 5, Maritime and Port Bureau Director-General Chi Wen-jung stated that since the bureau took over lighthouse operations, active restoration efforts had been undertaken. However, because the original manufacturer of the optic, the French company Barbier, had ceased production in 1984, it was impossible to obtain relevant spare parts. Chi Wen-jung said that after colleagues searched extensively for repair information and alternative parts, and through trial-and-error methods, the extremely challenging task of completing the main light restoration was finally accomplished on April 10 this year — a testament to the team’s deep love for the lighthouse.

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