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History of the "Iron Pot"

First lit on 12 November 1832, the Iron Pot was originally powered by sperm whale oil. The derivation of the name is unclear although it seems likely that it is linked to the cast-iron blubber try pots that were ubiquitous when the major industry of the colony was whaling. Although officially renamed Derwent Lighthouse in 1884 the name Iron Pot has remained in use including on official documents. A child was born on the island to the Roberts family, and the light was manned until 1920. In 1996 the light was converted to solar power, the first in Australia.
Standing as it does at the entrance to the Derwent the Iron Pot is a final farewell to the serene city of Hobart for departing mariners and a welcome way point to the weary yachtsmen of the famous Sydney-Hobart blue water yacht race. It was first used as a marker for a sailing race in 1843. There was even a race of a different kind- a gold rush, although no gold was won on the rocky islet.