Saint Charles Light Mast
X7JM+WF9, Gourbeyre 97113, Guadeloupe
Name and Location
Saint Charles Light Mast (“Unnamed Lighthouse at Saint Charles”), Gourbeyre, Guadeloupe
Address: X7JM+WF9, Allée de la Grande Regate, Saint Charles, Gourbeyre 97113, Guadeloupe (French overseas department)
Municipality: Gourbeyre (Canton de Trois-Rivières, Arrondissement of Basse-Terre)
Region: Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe, France
Coordinates: 15 °58′55″ N, 61 °43′ 00″ W (decimal: 15.9820385, –61.7168109)
Construction and History
The Saint Charles Light Mast was constructed at an unknown date, with no records of a permanent masonry tower. The original purpose and decommissioning date remain undocumented.
Architecture and Materials
The structure consists of a single metal mast (likely galvanized steel or aluminum) bearing a light fixture, with a lantern housing made of fiberglass or metal. The height and focal plane are not documented, but the mast appears to be under 10 meters tall.
Light and Navigation
The light characteristic is undocumented, but it is presumed to be a fixed or occulting white light of short range. The range is minimal, likely under 5 nautical miles, intended for local guidance rather than maritime navigation.
Accessibility and Visiting
Notable Views and Landscape
The Saint Charles Light Mast overlooks the valley of Rivière Sens toward the Caribbean coast approximately 1 kilometer southwest. Nearby attractions include La Nationale 2 “Route de la Traversée,” a scenic mountain road, historic sugar-mill ruins at Domaine de Séverin, and views of the volcano La Grande Soufrière to the north.
Anecdotes and Folklore
No relevant stories or anecdotes are available for this lighthouse.
Technical and Operational Details
The light is presumed to be solar-powered with automated operation. No official records exist regarding maintenance, as it falls under the Service Hydrographique et Océanographique de la Marine (SHOM) or the local commune.
Further Information
For further information, please refer to OpenStreetMap Way 41419676: https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/41419676
Details
| Name | Saint Charles Light Mast |
|---|---|
| City | Gourbeyre |
| Country | Guadeloupe, France |
| Coordinates | 15.9820385, -61.7168109 |
| Stories | Speculation (unverified): The feature may never have been a full lighthouse tower but rather a small riverine or road beacon incorrectly tagged as a maritime light. |
| Construction material | "galvanized steel or aluminum mast; lantern housing of fiberglass or metal" |
| Renovations | destroyed:building=yes |
| Access description | reachable on foot or by vehicle via Allée de la Grande Regate off Route de Trois-Rivières. |
| Accessible | true |
| Landscape type | hilly interior |
| View description | set within the hilly interior of Gourbeyre, an area of banana plantations and former sugar-cane estates. |
| Guided tours | false |
| Nearby attractions | ["La Nationale 2 ‘Route de la Traversée,’ scenic mountain road","Historic sugar-mill ruins at Domaine de Séverin"] |
| Light characteristic | "undocumented; presumed fixed or occulting white light of short range" |
| Light range | "minimal—likely under 5 nmi" |
| Automated | true |