Beachy Head Lighthouse

Not to be confused with Belle Tout lighthouse.
Beachy Head Lighthouse

The lighthouse from sea level
East Sussex
Location Eastbourne
East Sussex
England
Coordinates 50°44′02″N 0°14′29″E / 50.733791°N 0.241478°E / 50.733791; 0.241478Coordinates: 50°44′02″N 0°14′29″E / 50.733791°N 0.241478°E / 50.733791; 0.241478
Year first constructed 1902
Automated 1983
Foundation concrete basement
Construction granite tower
Tower shape tapered cylindrical with balcony and lantern
Markings / pattern white tower with a broad horizontal red band, red lantern
Height 43 m (141 ft)
Focal height 31 m (102 ft)
Original lens First Order 920 mm Asymmetrical Catadioptric rotating optic
Current lens Single-tier LED lantern
Range 8 nmi (15 km; 9.2 mi)
Characteristic Fl (2) W 20s.
Fog signal blast every 30s.
Admiralty number A0840
NGA number 1140
ARLHS number ENG 005
Managing agent Trinity House[1]

Beachy Head Lighthouse was built in the sea below Beachy Head. It is 43 m (141 ft) in height and became operational in October 1902.[2]

Construction

In 1900 to 1902 under the direction of Sir Thomas Matthews, the Trinity House Engineer-in-Chief, the lighthouse was built, sited about 165 metres seawards from the base of the cliffs. For the construction, a temporary cable car from the cliff has been installed for the transport of workers and stones to an iron ocean platform adjacent to the lighthouse. 3,660 tons of Cornish granite were used in the construction of the tower.

Operation

For more than 80 years, the red-and-white striped tower was manned by three lighthouse keepers. Their job was to maintain the light, which rotates, making two white flashes every 20 seconds. It was then visible 26 nautical miles (48 km; 30 mi) out to sea. The lighthouse was fully automated in 1983 and the keepers withdrawn.

In June 2010, Trinity House announced in the five yearly "Aids To Navigation Review" that the light range would be reduced to 8 nmi (15 km; 9.2 mi) and the fog signal discontinued. In February 2011, the work was undertaken and light range reduced by the installation of a new LED navigation light system. The old lens, though no longer in use, was left in situ. The fog signal was also discontinued at this time.

Trinity House announced in 2011 that it could no longer afford to repaint the distinctive red and white stripes and that it would have to be left to return to its natural granite gray. It stated that because boats now have high tech navigational systems the day marker stripes are no longer essential. However, a sponsored campaign to keep the stripes was launched in October 2011. The required £27,000 was raised.[3] The tower repainting was completed in October using a team including two abseilers. Five coats of paint were applied to the copper lantern at the top and three on each hoop of the tower.[4]

Gallery

See also

References

  1. ↑ Beachy Head The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved April 29, 2016
  2. ↑ Surtees, Dr John (1997). Beachy Head. Seaford: SB Publications. ISBN 1-85770-118-6.
  3. ↑ "Beachy Head Lighthouse Campaign". Beachy Head Lighthouse Campaign.
  4. ↑ "Beachy Head lighthouse repainting 'finishing touches'". BBC.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Beachy Head Lighthouse.


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