Ar Men
 Lighthouse Ar Men in 2011 | |
  Finistère | |
| Location | Off Île de Sein, Brittany, France |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 48°3′0″N 4°59′54″W / 48.05000°N 4.99833°WCoordinates: 48°3′0″N 4°59′54″W / 48.05000°N 4.99833°W[1] |
| Year first constructed | 1867 |
| Year first lit | 1881 |
| Automated | 1990 |
| Construction | granite tower |
| Tower shape | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern enclose keeper's quarter |
| Markings / pattern | white upper tower, unpainted lower tower and balcony, black lantern |
| Height | 32 m (105 ft) |
| Focal height | 37 m (121 ft) |
| Range | 23.5 nautical miles (43.5 km; 27.0 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl (3) W 20s |
| Admiralty number | D0852 |
| NGA number | 0248 |
| ARLHS number | FRA-001 |
| France number | FR-0694[2] |
| Managing agent | Marine Nationale |
Ar Men ("the rock" in Breton) is a lighthouse at one end of the Chaussée de l'Île de Sein, at the west end of Brittany. It shares its name with the rock on which it was erected between 1867 and 1881.
Ar Men is one of the best known lighthouses because of its isolated situation and the considerable difficulties its construction has presented, and the danger in evacuating its personnel. Considered as one of the most challenging workplaces by the community of lighthouse keepers, it has been named "The Hell of Hells".
History
In 1825, there was a need for a light to be built on one of the reefs, but it was thought impracticable to build. A commission was appointed in 1860 to look at the possibility of building a light, and after six years reported that a lighthouse should be constructed on the Ar Men. Despite the estimated 50 square feet (4.6 m2) of rock only being uncovered at dead low water, work began in 1867. In the first year of work there was only seven occasions when workmen were able to land on the rock and spend a total of eight hours drilling holes for the foundation.[3]
- Hours worked on the Ar Man lighthouse
| Year | Landings | Hours worked |
|---|---|---|
| 1867 | 7 | 8 |
| 1868 | 18 | |
| 1869 | 43 | |
| 1870 | 18 | |
| 1871 | 22 | |
| 1872 | 34 | |
| 1873 | 15 | |
| 1874 | 18 | 160 |
By 1879 the height of the tower was nearly 60 feet (18 m).[3]
The light was automated and electrified on 10 April 1990, with a 250 watt halogen lamp. Its signal is three white flashes every twenty seconds, with an accompanying signal of three sounds every sixty seconds.
See also
References
- ↑ Geographic coordinates obtained from World Lighthouse On The Air (consult the list).
- ↑ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Brittany: Southern Finistère". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
- 1 2 "The French "Wolf Rock Lighthouse" Off The Land's End Of Brittany". The Cornishman (59). 28 August 1879. p. 7.
External links
- Ar Men data sheet Ministère de la Culture (French)
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ar Men. |
