fraser examined the alguada reef in december 1856 on the orders of lord canning after 286 people were killed in a shipwreck. the original proposal for a lighthouse had been raised by the marquis of dalhousie. after examining the tides and the land, a site was identified for the construction. the admiral sir fleetwood pellew suggested that the light house be built of iron while captain rogers suggested a struction resting on a substantial platform. alan stevenson suggested that iron would not work in such an exposed condition and it was decided that it would be built of stone. it was modelled after skerryvore and with a catoptric light. stones were brought from singapore and work began in 1860. the holophotal light on the tower was lit on 23 april 1865 and was 144 feet above the high-water mark and visible from 20 nautical miles.